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Nikolette Rivera death by force case profile photo

Nikolette Rivera

Case from Philadelphia, PA dated Oct 20, 2019

Victim Details

Nikolette Rivera

Female

Philadelphia

PA

2019-10-20

2

Nikolette

Rivera

06/29/2026

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Police: Connection Between Shooting Of Nikolette Rivera, 11 ...

Case Description

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On October 20, 2019, Nikolette Rivera, a 2-year-old girl from Philadelphia, PA, tragically lost her life when she was shot in the head while being held by her mother inside their Kensington home. The incident occurred when Tayvon Thomas and Freddie Perez, both involved in a drug dispute with Nikolette's father, fired an AK-47 assault rifle into the home, mistakenly believing her father was inside. Nikolette's mother, Joan Ortiz, was also shot in the head and back, but she survived the attack. ...
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Links to Additional Sources (16)

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  • https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/10/24/tavon-thomas-murder-2-year-old-nikolette-rivera-philly/
  • pennlive: Man charged in fatal shooting of 2-year-old in Philadelphia home
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    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone else been following the sentencing of Tayvon Thomas and the aftermath of this tragic case... ...Read More
    09/16/2024
    Does anyone else think about how senseless this whole thing was? I can't even begin to fathom the am... ...Read More
    01/21/2024
    I just can't stop thinking about how brave Nikolette's mother, Joan Ortiz, must be. Not only is she ... ...Read More
    02/28/2023
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