Gregory Rivera, a 51-year-old retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, was fatally shot in his home in St. Robert, Missouri, on October 16, 2020. The incident prompted an extensive investigation by local law enforcement.
More than six months after Rivera's death, authorities announced a significant breakthrough in the case. In early May 2021, the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed charges against two men in connection with the murder. The suspects were identified as Donnie E.
Tatman and De-Andre C. Johnson. Both men were charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and burglary.
Investigators determined that the motive for the crime was robbery. According to court documents, Tatman and Johnson had planned to steal money and firearms from Rivera's residence. The investigation revealed that the suspects forced their way into the home, leading to a confrontation that resulted in Rivera being shot.
Following their arrests, both Tatman and Johnson were held in the Pulaski County Jail without bond. The legal proceedings that followed saw both men facing the possibility of life in prison. After a series of court appearances and legal maneuvering, both Donnie E. Tatman and De-Andre C. Johnson were ultimately convicted for their roles in the death of Gregory Rivera.
