Man ‘claims self-defense after shooting his girlfriend four times’ on her son’s birthday

A man allegedly shot his girlfriend in the back four times after her young son’s birthday party – then insisted that he acted in self-defense.

Richard Raciak, 48, is accused of shooting his girlfriend of eight years, Allison Sheehan, 46, while her back was turned after her son’s sixth birthday party. Sheehan died at a hospital later that day, according to a GoFundMe page for her funeral expenses and Joey’s care.

‘We lost our beautiful friend, mother, daughter, aunt and sister, Allison Sheehan to a terrible, sudden tragedy,’ states the page.

‘When you think of her, the first things that might cross your mind are her big smile, her calm demeanor, and her care for us all. And mostly, you’ll think of her son Joey, whom she put above all others. Including herself.’

Police responded to the residence on Smithfield Drive in Orlando, Florida, about half past midnight on Sunday. Raciak’s father called 911 and reported that his son texted him saying he had shot Sheehan, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Fox 35.

Raciak’s dad initially thought his son’s text was a ‘joke’, the affidavit states. But after Raciak reiterated that he shot Sheehan in self-defense, his father contacted the cops.

Sheehan was found in the master bedroom of the home with several gunshot wounds. Raciak’s father confirmed that the couple lived together there with the boy.

Investigators reviewed text messages and found that Raciak texted his father and brother just before 10.30pm on Saturday saying, ‘Allison was attacking me I had to fire shots’.

Raciak said that Sheehan had been drinking alcohol throughout the night. He claimed that she became angry and stomped on his already injured foot, ‘came at’ him and shoved him into a drawer, investigators said.

The suspect then allegedly took a handgun from beside his bed, became ‘pissed’ and wanted to ‘put her down’ and finally admitted to shooting her four times, states the affidavit.

Sheehan’s brother Dennis Kastanis does not believe Raciak acted out of self-defense.

‘Based on the information we have, he’s a monster,’ Kastanis told Fox 35. ‘And what he did is robbed many people of a special person.’

Raciak has been charged with first-degree murder with a firearm, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Monday. He is being held at the county jail without bond.

Sheehan’s ‘last day here got to be celebrating her son’s birthday, and that’s just a good way to think about it’, Kastanis said.

The GoFundMe page had raised more than $27,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

‘Joey is going to need our help, for both his mental health and financial health.’ the fundraiser states. ‘And tons of love and hugs too.’

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