A New Jersey State Police officer, Lt. Colonel Ricardo Jorge Santos, has been accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend, veterinarian Raylen Semanchik, 33, and her new boyfriend, firefighter Tyler Webb, 29, before committing suicide. The incident took place in Franklin Township, where both victims were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Santos’ body was discovered in a parked white Mercedes SUV in Piscataway, with the weapon present.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office reported that Santos had been following Semanchik home from work prior to the shooting. Friends and family described a troubling relationship history, mentioning that Semanchik had recently ended their relationship around September after it became contentious. Deanna Semanchik, Raylen’s sister, reported her concerns about Santos’ behavior, including harassment and previous incidents of vandalism.
Despite contacting police for help, Deanna noted that her sister received inadequate support, raising concerns about the effectiveness of community resources against domestic threats. Security footage showed Santos trailing Semanchik the night of the shooting. Prosecutor Rene Robeson expressed deep sadness over the loss, while Gov. Phil Murphy’s spokesperson called the incident a tragic shock. Deanna Semanchik hopes her sister’s story will bring more attention to the need for accountability regarding domestic violence.
Source link
