This article, originally published July 29, was updated Sept. 17 to reflect new details from released body cam footage.
An armed suspect was killed by Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies after barricading himself in his apartment on July 29.
At 7:54 a.m., ACSO warrant investigators arrived at 102 NW Ninth Terrace to serve a felony drug warrant to the suspect, whom ACSO didn’t name at the time due to ongoing investigation. New footage released by ACSO identifies the suspect as 44-year-old Samuel Edgardo Rivera.
Although the sheriff’s office did not share whether Rivera lived locally, Alachua County court records show a man with his name and birthday has been charged in the county for a steady stream of over 40 incidents from 2004 to 2024, some involving firearms or drugs.
Deputies encouraged Rivera to surrender peacefully from where he was barricaded in his apartment bedroom before entering, ACSO spokesperson, Chris Sims, said.
Rivera’s girlfriend initially opened the door wielding a knife but quickly cooperated with ACSO, according to the newly released footage. She exited the building while deputies continued asking Rivera to step outside the apartment. According to Sims, a single gunshot was fired from the bedroom toward the deputies.
The first of a series of Gator Safe alerts was released around 8:30 a.m. due to the proximity of UF’s Human Resources, located across the street from the suspect’s apartment. Both the university building and the other apartment units in Rivera’s complex were evacuated.
The Gainesville Police Department and the University Police Department also arrived on the scene. Law enforcement established a blocked perimeter around the complex on West University Avenue from Eighth Street to 10th Street.
Fire trucks, police cars and ambulances swarmed the secured area while ACSO’s SWAT team negotiated with the armed suspect through his girlfriend’s phone. Rivera threatened suicide and repeatedly urged that he was not going back to prison.
Deputies worked alongside ACSO’s hostage negotiation team to speak with Rivera, Sims said.
After three hours, the SWAT team released tear gas into the residence, which Sims described as a “pepper spray-type gas” meant to draw the suspect out.
The suspect fired more gunshots from a window before emerging and pointing a handgun at deputies. One deputy fired and struck the suspect, Sims said.
The suspect was confirmed dead. No officers or residents were injured.
“This is never the result we want,” Sims said. “We always want a peaceful surrender, no matter the circumstances. We never want to take a human life.”
Myra Jammer, a 59-year-old Gainesville resident, lived in the same apartment complex as Rivera. Armed authorities knocked on her door trying to confirm his residence, and she was told to evacuate soon after, she said.
Jammer’s mother, who is bedridden and relies on an oxygen machine, was placed on a stretcher inside an ambulance.
Jammer and nearby residents were left watching the scene from the street. Some stood barefoot, not given enough time to put on shoes in the rush to evacuate.
“I just want to stay safe,” Jammer said. “I don’t understand how it happens.”
Some residents were allowed back into their homes after 1:30 p.m., including Jammer’s mother.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is still investigating the deputies’ use of deadly force following the standoff, according to the video.
Contact Delia Rose Sauer at drosesauer@alligator.org. Follow her on X @_delia_rose_.
Contact Grace Larson at glarson@alligator.org. Follow her on X @graceellarson
Grace is a first year journalism student, serving as city/county commission reporter for the Fall 2025 semester. While she has not previously been on staff, her early journalism experience can be attributed to Devil's Advocate, her high school newspaper. When she is not writing, Grace enjoys staying active by running, weight lifting, hiking and doing yoga. Her other pastimes include thrifting and working on random art projects.
Delia Rose Sauer is a journalism senior and the Summer 2025 Editor-in-Chief. She reported on the university desk for two semesters. When she's not glued to her laptop, she's drawing on Procreate, crocheting or creating a new Spotify playlist.
