Jovannexen Rivera, a 23-year-old Hispanic male known to his loved ones as "Jampy," was a young father with a passion for cars and baseball. Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, he moved to Worcester, Massachusetts with his family at the age of two. He was a graduate of Worcester South High School and had pursued training to become a barber at Rob Roy Academy. A proud father to his daughter, he was also known as a talented mechanic who enjoyed customizing cars, even winning trophies at a local car show for his customized CRV. He also played baseball in an adult league for the Worcester Diamond Backs.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 29, 2018, a fight broke out in front of a home on Sturgis Street in Worcester. Witnesses reported that a man emerged from the side of the house and began shooting rapidly into a group of people. The gunfire struck two men, one of whom was Jovannexen Rivera. He was seriously wounded and was pronounced dead shortly after at the hospital. A second man, who was 28 years old, was also seriously injured in the shooting. The shooter fled the scene immediately after the incident.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a memorial of balloons and candles marked the spot where Rivera lost his life. Neighbors remembered him as a friendly and good-hearted family man who loved being outdoors. The police appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the identity and capture of the suspect. However, despite the investigation, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Jovannexen Rivera, and the case remains unsolved. Tragically, the Rivera family would suffer another devastating loss just over a year later when Jovannexen's younger brother, Yaret, was also shot and killed in a separate incident.
