Camdyn Rider, a 21-year-old transgender man, was fatally shot by his partner, Riley John Groover, on July 21, 2023, outside their home in the Inwood area of Winter Haven, Florida. At the time of his death, Camdyn was eight months pregnant with his first child, a baby boy who was due in August. The incident occurred in front of witnesses, and after shooting Camdyn multiple times, Groover then shot and killed himself.
Camdyn was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and had recently moved to Winter Haven. He was known for his humor, wit, and wry observations, which he often shared on social media. His interests included traveling, concerts, camping, photography, art, music, and books, with a particular fondness for paranormal television shows like Supernatural.
The relationship between Camdyn and Riley Groover was marked by frequent arguments, some of which resulted in physical violence, although these incidents were not reported to the police. Despite these issues, Camdyn had expressed his excitement about becoming a father on social media, posting sonogram photos and expressing his happiness about the upcoming birth of his child.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that the unborn baby could not be saved despite efforts by first responders and medical staff at a nearby hospital. The incident was described by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd as a "violent and horrific double murder" that ended the lives of Camdyn and his unborn child. Family members and neighbors had attempted to help Camdyn get away from Groover during the altercation, highlighting the ongoing issue of intimate partner violence faced by trans individuals.
