“I’m killing some people when i get home;” 45-year-old man shot his ex-girlfriend and his best friend who started “consoling” the woman shortly after their break-up to death; sentenced
South Carolina – In a shocking case in South Carolina, a 45-year-old man, identified as R. Todd, received a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty of murdering his 30-year-old ex-girlfriend, identified as E. Richitelli, and his longtime friend, 44-year-old J. Altman. Prosecutors said that jealousy and anger over his ex’s new relationship—with none other than his best friend—led to the horrific act. The conviction included two counts of murder for the July 2022 shooting deaths of Richitelli and Altman. The judge sentenced Todd to two life terms without the possibility of parole, sealing his fate to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Investigators revealed that in the days leading up to the attack, Todd sent multiple threatening messages to friends. Among them was the chilling declaration, “I’m killing some people when I get home. No question about that. I love her and it’s over.” Other texts described plans to “blow their brains out” and “burn down the house.” On July 21, 2022, in the early morning hours, Todd entered a home where Richitelli and Altman were together. Prosecutors said he opened fire, hitting both victims multiple times. Altman’s 9-year-old son was in the bathroom when he heard the front door open and immediately recognized Todd’s voice — a man he had once called “Uncle.”
The boy later testified that he heard Todd taunt someone with the words, “You want to talk trash?” Moments later came a volley of gunfire — about eight shots. He recalled his father shouting his forme best friend’s name over and over before the shooting stopped. Prosecutors told jurors that Todd intended to “clear the whole house” and believed he had succeeded. After the shots rang out, the child ran to a neighbor’s home in a panic. The neighbor who opened the door, testified that the first words out of his mouth were, “My dad’s been shot, my dad’s been shot.” They immediately called 911, and during the call the boy identified Todd as the shooter. Police arrived to find both victims dead inside the home. Richitelli’s and Altman’s children — now left without parents — became central figures in the emotional aftermath of the trial.
Richitelli’s sister described her sibling as a woman who had battled addiction but rebuilt her life, working two jobs to provide for her 13-year-old son. She said their last time together had been at a bachelorette party, a moment she never imagined would be their final goodbye. “I didn’t know that would be our last time together,” she said, adding that she never had the chance to tell her sister how proud she was. One of Altman’s children told Todd directly in court that their father should have been there to watch them grow. “He should be here to see me succeed in life, but he can’t because you killed him,” the child said.
With the jury’s verdict and the judge’s ruling, Todd’s fate was sealed. Prosecutors said his jealousy had turned lethal, fueled by the knowledge that his former girlfriend had found comfort in the man he once considered a brother. Now serving two life sentences, Todd leaves behind a trail of grief—children robbed of parents and two shattered families left to grapple with the devastation of a night driven by rage.
