In the early morning hours of August 22, 2014, Jose R. Rivas, a 26-year-old Hispanic male, arrived to open his family-owned Yesi Supermarket on Osbourne Terrace in Newark, New Jersey. His daily routine of opening the store at 7 a.m. was violently interrupted when a car pulled up and several men forced him into their silver four-door vehicle. This abduction marked the beginning of a tragic event that would end in the young shopkeeper's death.
A short time later, a passerby discovered
Rivas about half a mile away on Hunterdon Street, lying in the road and bleeding from a gunshot wound. Though emergency services were called and he was rushed to University Hospital, Rivas was pronounced dead while still in the ambulance. The incident was the 58th homicide in Newark that year, highlighting the city's ongoing struggle with gun violence.
Family and friends described Rivas, who had moved to Newark from the Dominican Republic at the age of eight, as a hardworking and generous man who was well-loved in his community. They emphasized that he had no known enemies, making his violent death all the more shocking. The motive for the abduction and murder is believed to be robbery. Investigators noted that his house key and cellphone were missing.
In the wake of the murder, the community mourned the loss of the beloved local businessman. A vigil was held where friends, family, and customers gathered to pay their respects. Despite a $5,000 reward being offered for information that could lead to an arrest, the case remains unsolved. No suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Jose Rivas.
