Overview of Sword and Scale Episode 372
This episode covers the murder of Jason Schaefer, a USPS mail carrier shot dead in broad daylight on his route in Longmont, Colorado, and the tangled family and relationship drama that led investigators to his ex, Devin Schreiner, and her boyfriend, Andrew “AJ” Ritchie. What begins as a neighborhood shooting turns into a case about custody conflict, jealousy, infidelity, and a web of unstable relationships that ultimately ends in murder charges and life sentences.
What Happened to Jason Schaefer
- On October 13, 2021, Jason was delivering mail when witnesses heard multiple gunshots.
- He collapsed beside his mail truck, gravely wounded, with blood from his mouth and multiple gunshot injuries.
- 911 callers and neighbors described:
- A man in a black hoodie and blue face mask fleeing the scene.
- Jason lying unresponsive near the curb with mail scattered in the street.
- Paramedics and officers performed CPR, but Jason was pronounced dead before reaching the hospital.
The Investigation
Early Leads
Police initially focused on witness descriptions and Jason’s workplace situation:
- A supervisor said Jason was a hardworking employee who spoke up when he saw wrongdoing.
- A former employee Jason had written up was mentioned, but investigators did not believe that theory fit well.
The Family Angle
The case shifted when detectives learned about Jason’s complicated relationship history:
- Jason had a child with Devin Schreiner, his ex and the child’s mother.
- Devin’s younger sister, Rosa, had moved in with Jason after falling out with Devin.
- Jason and Rosa became romantically involved, which intensified the family conflict.
- Devin had reportedly been angry about both the custody dispute and Jason’s relationship with Rosa.
Devin’s Behavior and Evidence
Detectives later tied Devin to the shooting through several pieces of evidence:
- Her car was seen near the crime scene.
- Her postal scanner remained stationary near Andrew Ritchie’s home when it should have been moving with her route.
- A screenshot on Andrew’s phone showed Devin in the same black hoodie-style outfit linked to the shooter.
- Investigators believed the figure seen in surveillance/video was Devin, not a man.
Andrew “AJ” Ritchie’s Role
Andrew Ritchie, also called AJ, was ultimately accused of complicity:
- He admitted he followed Jason that morning.
- He told police Devin had talked about killing Jason.
- He had allegedly warned Jason that Devin was being pushed too far by the custody battle.
Motive and Relationship Drama
This episode emphasizes how messy and destructive the relationships became:
- Devin and Jason: bitter exes locked in a custody fight.
- Devin and Rosa: estranged sisters with a long history of conflict.
- Rosa and Jason: Rosa moved in with Jason and became his partner, deepening Devin’s resentment.
- Devin and her boyfriends: She was also involved with Andrew Ritchie and Joseph Castaneda, creating more jealousy and instability.
The show suggests that Jason’s murder was rooted in:
- custody resentment,
- humiliation over Jason being with Rosa,
- and Devin’s anger over losing control of the situation.
Outcome
- Devin Schreiner was arrested and convicted of first-degree murder.
- Andrew Ritchie (AJ) was arrested and convicted of complicity to commit first-degree murder.
- Both were sentenced to life in prison without parole.
- Jason’s death left his young son without both biological parents, and custody disputes continued among the family.
Key Takeaways
- A seemingly routine mail route became the scene of a premeditated daytime homicide.
- Family conflict, jealousy, and custody battles were central to the motive.
- Investigators used a mix of witness statements, vehicle/scanner tracking, and digital evidence to identify the shooter.
- The case underscores how personal betrayal and unresolved domestic conflict can escalate into extreme violence.