Search fatalities

Samuel Edgardo Rivera

Gender : Male

Age : 44

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 07/29/2025

Location : 102 NW 9th Terrace (near Human Resources Building at 903 W University Avenue)

City : Gainesville

County : Alachua

State : Florida

Agency : Alachua County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, U.S. Marshals Task Force

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Shot and killed by deputies after standoff

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On the morning of July 29, 2025, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, aided by the U.S. Marshals Task Force, attempted to serve a felony narcotics warrant at an apartment on NW 9th Terrace. Samuel Edgardo Rivera was inside with a female occupant, who deputies escorted out safely before entry. Rivera then fired a shot from his bedroom and barricaded himself in, prompting an hours-long SWAT response. Nearby apartments were evacuated and University Avenue was closed between 800–1100 blocks to secure the perimeter.
For two to three hours, SWAT maintained a containment posture. At 11:02 a.m., deputies deployed a chemical agent (presumed to be a tear gas) into the apartment. Rivera responded by firing multiple shots through a side window before moving to the living room holding a handgun. He briefly retracted, then reappeared at a front window pointing the weapon at deputies. In response, a SWAT officer discharged a single, fatal round, striking Rivera. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an independent, follow-up investigation into the use of lethal force.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/shots-fired-near-university-florida-campus-gainesville-officials-say
https://www.wuft.org/public-safety/2025-07-29/gainesville-man-shot-and-killed-after-standoff-with-alachua-county-deputies-at-his-apartment
https://www.alligator.org/article/2025/07/armed-suspect-killed-after-three-hour-negotiation
https://alachuachronicle.com/man-shot-by-deputies-after-firing-at-them-had-3-drug-charges-in-4-months
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/07/30/man-killed-in-gainesville-after-hours-long-standoff-with-deputies-who-attempted-to-serve-arrest-warrant
https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/crime/gunmans-name-released-alachua-county-deputy-involved-shooting
https://www.wcjb.com/2025/07/30/accused-gunman-identified-after-deputy-involved-shooting-gainesville-apartment-near-uf