VA VA - Scott Ratigan, 24, found murdered in apartment, Arlington, 17 Jan 2020

[Ab801]

Bump to keep this story out there.

 

[branmuffin]

My first thought when I saw alleged CEO shooter, LM was that he copied the clothes/backpack of SR's killer. Thank you for your post @Betty P, though I am just now getting to this thread.

I would say less than 15 percent of Americans are aware of the murder of Scott Ratigan. Most people are not interested in true crime and have never heard of murders we have.

 

[Ssschu]

5 year anniversary. So heartbreaking for his family and friends. A couple things stood out to me as new info. This says his sister was only gone an hour. I was under the impression she had been gone several hours. This makes it a very tight window for the person to kill Scott AND have time to clean. It also tells me he/she had to have known his sister was going to be gone at that time which suggests familiarity with the victim.

"The afternoon of Jan. 17, 2020, John told WUSA9 his daughter left the apartment to go pick up friends at the airport. "She was going to national she couldn't have been gone more than an hour," he said.

But when she returned, she apparently found Scott inside his bedroom, with trauma to his upper body."

The other thing that stands out is that she told her father someone had broken into the apartment. Were there signs of forced entry?

Family desperate for answers, five years after Scott Ratigan was killed in Ballston

His family is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of his killer.

www.wusa9.com

 

[acutename]

If the detectives do find evidence linking a suspect, what are the next steps?
Is a Grand Jury convened to determine if there is enough evidence to arrest a person?

I think of Scott’s family often and recognize the pain they have due to losing their son. They bumped the reward for information in the case a year or 2 ago.

<modsnip - posting info as FACT instead of clarifying it is OPINION ie IMHO/MOO etc. which is required on WS>

just reading this for the first time... if this really was some one from SR's past, maybe this person is not in the US any more... semester abroad anyone? maybe LE did not want to scare anyone into "fleeing" but maybe the killer had no intention of staying around. With the number of apts in these buildings, and the number of possible friends, etc visiting them, person could have been in the buildings before and known about the doors, arrangement of the hallways, building configuration.

 

[acutename]

Sorry for the power posting, but I just have to think: Considering some recent cases (Missy Bevers, Liz Barraza, and this one) I have to really wonder why we even bother with security cameras. It seems like they're only helpful if the person isn't trying to disguise himself.

It does eliminate a lot of people even if it does not ID one.

 

[acutename]

I don't think that what the suspect is wearing or carrying would have attracted much notice. The D.C. area has a lot of people wearing black or navy, lots of dark colors. Also, with all the walkable areas, easy subway access/use, etc., carrying a backpack is totally normal. Another normal thing is lots of young professionals in the area, as well as many contract workers. Having lots of contractors means, in general, a more transient population (people maybe there for a 12 month contract), making it harder for eyewitnesses to pinpoint people who seem "out of place" and also that quite a few residents at the time of the murder may not even live in the area anymore.

Basically, this seems like finding a needle in a haystack as there is absolutely nothing odd or obvious that would make the suspect memorable in any way.

All my own opinions due to quite a bit of time traveling there over an extended period of time. MOO.

because of the timing and nothing stolen, it seems that this person knew SR and something about his schedule from social media- if you believe it was just a random person who tries to go in upscale condos and steal small items, the person did a bad job IMO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Online communities devoted to the case have formed in the years since the homicide, with some citizen sleuths going so far as to produce detailed recaps. A lack of substantial updates led to calls for more information around this time last year.

Five years after unsolved Ballston homicide, police renew requests for tips | ARLnow.com

On the fifth anniversary of an unsolved Ballston homicide, police are renewing requests for tips as the victim's family continues to offer a $50,000 reward. Today (Friday) marks five years since police were dispatched to an apartment building on the 800 block of N. Randolph Street in early 2020...

www.arlnow.com

 

[dotr]

Online communities devoted to the case have formed in the years since the homicide, with some citizen sleuths going so far as to produce detailed recaps. A lack of substantial updates led to calls for more information around this time last year.

Five years after unsolved Ballston homicide, police renew requests for tips | ARLnow.com

On the fifth anniversary of an unsolved Ballston homicide, police are renewing requests for tips as the victim's family continues to offer a $50,000 reward. Today (Friday) marks five years since police were dispatched to an apartment building on the 800 block of N. Randolph Street in early 2020...

www.arlnow.com

Ty for the fresh article, from link..

''Surveillance video captured a person of interest described as a white male, between 5’6″ and 5’8″ tall, weighing 150 to 175 pounds, dressed in all black and carrying a black backpack. The suspect had his face covered as he walked down Ballston’s sidewalks, a few weeks before the Covid pandemic prompted widespread use of masks.
He is described as walking with a “pigeon-toed gait” with his feet turned inward.''

 

[fridaybaker]

The "pigion-toed gait" description: I certainly don't know for sure, but if I had to place bets I'd say that that is his true gait. He's decked out head-to-toe in black clothing, meant to disguise his looks and identity, which achieved the goal. He planned a vicious murder in a high-density residential area (apartment building in the city) and walked away in broad daylight, knowing full well that there are security cameras everywhere.

This guy's adrenaline had to have been pumping. His heart must have been pounding, and he was trying to get away as quickly as possible. I just don't think he had the time, or the control to disguise his gate. Ditto shoes that don't fit. Considering that he had some distance to cover on foot, I'd think he'd want shoes that fit -that wouldn't inhibit his ability to make a quick getaway and even, potentially, cause him to trip and fall, leading to attention on him, slowing him down, etc.

Therefore, I'm going on the idea that his shoes/gait aren't disguises. Not that that gets me any further along this investigation, but I've at least come to that conclusion!

 

[arielilane]

I would say less than 15 percent of Americans are aware of the murder of Scott Ratigan. Most people are not interested in true crime and have never heard of murders we have.

Did I mention the general population of Americans in my post? Iirc, it was "my first thought," but thats okay, I would agree w/the post.

 

[Kaylas]

I am not aware if any evidence from the crime scene has been describe. IMO, the detectives should continue to look at physical evidence of DNA…on clothing, walls from blood splatter(if any)…. The murderer, IMO, could not have left the crime scene completely clean.

 

[dotr]

Jan 16, 2025
The pain, his father John Ratigan says, remains just as raw, especially around anniversaries like this one.

 

[CrimeTheorist]

I feel like the gait is not their real way of walking. The suspect looks young, and someone with a gait like that who is young and in good shape would stand out. If that was their actually way of walking someone whom Scott knew would have probably recognized who the young, thin, person that walked like that was. Also, they seem to be moving pretty fast at times, like they have no real issues with walking. JMO

 

[chaddylex]

As I said last year, my son went to Marymount University his freshman year of college but transferred to Gettysburg for the remainder of college. He graduated and now is now living and working in Ballston - I saw an update on this thread yesterday and sent it to my son, asking him how far away he lives from where Scott was murdered. He said it's like 3/4 of a mile from where he lives and pretty close to his office building. I feel the area is pretty safe and he said the same, but I still worry. (we are from a small town)

I hope they find out who did this to Scott, his poor family. I watched the interview with his dad and it made me tear up.

 

[arielilane]

Id guess its an isolated (murder) incident. moo

...

The complete press release is below.

The Arlington County Police Department is renewing requests for community assistance on the fifth anniversary of Scott Ratigan’s homicide inside his Ballston apartment. The Ratigan family continues to offer a reward of $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for Scott’s homicide.

At approximately 5:29 p.m. on January 17, 2020, police were dispatched to the 800 block of N. Randolph Street for the report of cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, it was determined a concerned relative entered the victim’s bedroom after it was determined he had not been recently heard from. The victim, 24-year-old Scott Ratigan, was located inside his bedroom suffering from trauma to the upper body and was pronounced deceased on scene by medics. An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide. Evidence recovered at the scene indicates the suspect(s) attempted to clean the crime scene prior to fleeing the residence.

On the one-year anniversary of Scott’s homicide, detectives released surveillance video recovered from an exterior camera which shows a person of interest leaving the area around the suspected time of the homicide. The individual is described as a white male, approximately 5’6″ — 5’8″ tall, weighing 150 — 175 lbs, dressed in all black, carrying a black backpack and walking with his feet turned inward, often referred to as a pigeon-toed gait. To date, efforts to identify the person of interest have been unsuccessful and detectives ask anyone with information on his identity to contact police.

WATCH: Person of interest captured on surveillance video

The passage of time does not diminish the need for answers and accountability in this senseless act of violence that took Scott’s life. Detectives continue to follow-up on all investigative leads in this case and remind the public that any information, regardless of how small it may seem, could be the tip that leads to justice on behalf of Scott and the Ratigan family.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Five years after unsolved Ballston homicide, police renew requests for tips | ARLnow.com

On the fifth anniversary of an unsolved Ballston homicide, police are renewing requests for tips as the victim's family continues to offer a $50,000 reward. Today (Friday) marks five years since police were dispatched to an apartment building on the 800 block of N. Randolph Street in early 2020...

www.arlnow.com

1/17/2025

 

[UnderWhelmed405]

I feel like the gait is not their real way of walking. The suspect looks young, and someone with a gait like that who is young and in good shape would stand out. If that was their actually way of walking someone whom Scott knew would have probably recognized who the young, thin, person that walked like that was. Also, they seem to be moving pretty fast at times, like they have no real issues with walking. JMO

Very possible. Like a K.Spacey in Usual Suspects

 

[arielilane]

Curious to know if the surveillance video of person of interest (POI) are before or after crime occurred? Not seeing any bleach spots on POI, which is interesting; and is it possible/probable another person involved? moo - only speculation

WATCH: Person of interest captured on surveillance video

 

[RedSlider]

Curious to know if the surveillance video of person of interest (POI) are before or after crime occurred? Not seeing any bleach spots on POI, which is interesting; and is it possible/probable another person involved? moo - only speculation

WATCH: Person of interest captured on surveillance video

The surveillance is out of order for some reason. The first & fourth feeds are after & the middle feeds are before.

 

[SouthPark]

I feel like the gait is not their real way of walking. The suspect looks young, and someone with a gait like that who is young and in good shape would stand out. If that was their actually way of walking someone whom Scott knew would have probably recognized who the young, thin, person that walked like that was. Also, they seem to be moving pretty fast at times, like they have no real issues with walking. JMO

I have to respectfully disagree - not that someone probably should have recognised it, but in terms of it not being their natural gait.

Speaking as a pigeon-toed person, I tend to walk quickly, it doesn’t affect my pace. People are born with it and there may be other musculoskeletal differences or adaptations that contribute or result from this type of thing, so you end up with a slightly odd gait - compared to people who don’t have to learn to avoid tripping over their own toes from a young age. The POI’s gait certainly reminds me of my own when walking at pace; it’s a bit more exaggerated in terms of the way they swing their feet when jogging, but I have used specialised orthotics for a long time, have had various medical/physio interventions over the years, and am not bow-legged.

If you’re a ‘normie’ try turning your toes (the whole front ‘pad’ of your foot) inwards and walking/jogging whilst keeping them pointed inwards - most people will trip. I can’t see someone managing to ‘put it on’ at pace. I am not sure it’s easy to fake being pigeon-toed, and to fake it consistently (before and after an crime), especially considering the POI appear to be on the bow-legged side (which could contribute to the way someone walks).

In light of another comment elsewhere about wearing bigger shoes on the thread I’d also point out that, for a pigeon-toed person, that is nigh on impossible. You are adapted to how you are, add an inch or two in length onto your shoes and you’ll be tripping over like a 4 year old again!

Just my two cents.

 

[M_the_Writer13]

Wow! I've learned much more from this video. The narrator shows how he was able to enter the building and even get on the elevator to the floor. I am now wondering how the killer got into the apartment. I would have thought Scott would have looked through a peep hole before opening the door. If the killer knew how to get in the building to the apartment, then the killer had to have come up with a way to get in the apartment.

He was home that day and someone who used to live in the building said there are no locks on the doorknob only one bolt above the knob. If he was expecting friends, maybe he left it unlocked so they could come in. He thought he was safe in a building that required a fob to enter and had security and a nice neighborhood. Could be a possibility IMO.