The State Attorney for Florida’s 7th Circuit announced that Julio Rivera had been found guilty of First-Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon following a four-day trial. On December 8, 2019, Rivera’s childhood friend, Roberto Ovalle, visited him at the DeBary storage unit. Ovalle had rented the unit and let Rivera stay in it.

Authorities say Rivera felt disrespected by his friend. He allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Ovalle in the back of the head. Ovalle’s girlfriend witnessed the murder and reported it to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Rivera left the scene before returning while detectives were still investigating. He was taken into custody.

Following his arrest, Rivera admitted that he snapped and killed the victim in a recorded jailhouse phone call. Authorities say Rivera had only been in Volusia County for six weeks before the homicide.