ORLANDO, FL – A Florida man’s plea for self-defense has been dismissed as he faces a lengthy prison sentence for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend during a domestic altercation earlier this year.

Richard Raciak, 50, was sentenced by Judge Barbara J. Leach of the Ninth Judicial Circuit to serve 25 years to life in prison for the shooting death of 46-year-old Allison Sheehan. The judgment comes after Raciak admitted guilt on the charge of second-degree murder with a firearm, according to court documents.

The tragic incident unfolded before dawn on April 16, 2023, when deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a home on Smithfield Drive. There, they discovered Sheehan suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in a bedroom. She was transported to Osceola Regional Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

At the scene, Raciak was also present, initially requiring medical attention due to dehydration. He claimed he shot Sheehan in self-defense during a confrontation despite evidence contradicting this assertion. The sheriff’s office noted Raciak claimed Sheehan attacked him before he fired the deadly shots.

The case rapidly gained complexity following a series of messages from Raciak to his family after the shooting. A text sent to his father stated, “Allison was attacking me I had to fire shots… Self-defense. Only choice I had.” The messages also disturbing included a photo of Sheehan’s lifeless body.

Raciak told the police that he and Sheehan, who had been together for nearly eight years, had been drinking during their son’s birthday party. He alleged the disputes erupted into violence, leading Sheehan to physically assault him, eventually prompting him to arm himself with a handgun.

Despite asserting that he aimed to incapacitate Sheehan rather than kill her, Raciak admitted his shots struck her as she walked away. This admission undermined his self-defense argument and proved pivotal in his conviction.

The sentencing concludes a tragic chapter for the families involved. It also underscores the devastating outcomes of domestic violence—a societal issue that often escalates with tragic, irreversible consequences.

Raciak’s conviction serves as a somber reminder of the irreversible toll of violence within relationships. It highlights the ongoing need for interventions and support systems to prevent such tragedies. His actions not only ended Sheehan’s life but profoundly affected their child and the broader community.