Richard Millsap's friends say his dream was to open a Crossfit gym where anyone could get ripped -- or at least lose a few pounds -- even if they couldn't afford the program. The muscle-bound 33-year-old made that goal a reality last March, renting out a warehouse in Winter Garden for an outpost of the wildly popular fitness regimen.
On Monday, Millsap was doing what he loved, leading a small class of eight through a grueling session, when a man stalked in, shot the instructor to death in front of his students and then escaped.
Police have released few details in the shooting and are still searching for a motive, but the Orlando Sentinel reports this morning that Millsap had been the target of another shooting last October.
Millsap, who previously worked as a trainer for professional athletes including the Orlando Magic's DeShawn Stephenson, was driving home from a basketball game on Oct. 14 when someone sprayed three bullets into his sedan. Millsap wasn't hurt and told police at the time he had no enemies and didn't know why he'd been shot at.
Police are also mum on a motive for Millsap's murder, and have released few details, including how many times he was shot before bleeding to death in his gym.
The gunman fled after murdering Millsap, eluding at least one student who chased him down before jumping into a car driven by an accomplice and speeding away. Police have release a sketch of the gunman:
The Facebook page for Millsap's gym has been flooded with condolences from friends, family and Crossfit enthusiasts. His wife, Karen, left a message on Monday:
Thank you everyone.... This is very overwhelming but it's amazing to have such a community of support in crossfit. Richard was the true embodiment of "sleep, eat, WOD". For him, crossfit meant "getting fit to carry the cross".... And he was perfect when God rested his soul. Please contact Jeremy at CrossFit Armor, who is coordinating a wod in his honor. God bless - karen
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