Arrest made in Orlando shooting that killed man, injured teen

Joseph Rivera charged with first-degree murder

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police on Thursday announced the arrest of a man accused of killing a man and injuring a teen during a shooting on Hendren Drive earlier this month.

Joseph Rivera, 24, is facing charges of first-degree murder with a firearm and three counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm in connection with the Dec. 5 shooting.

Police said they were called to a home on Hendren Drive around 1:25 a.m. in reference to a shooting. They found shell casings and other evidence, but no victims or suspects on the scene, the report said.

Investigators later discovered that Alexander Jason St. Jean, 23, and a 16-year-old boy had been dropped off at an area hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds. St. Jean died as a result of the shooting while the teen suffered non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

Shortly after the shooting, police said they did not have any suspect information in the shooting. It's unclear what evidence led them to Rivera.

Family members said St. Jean was a father who left behind a 1-year-old son.

St. Jean's mother, Jenny St. Jean, sent this statement about the arrest to News 6:

"The St. Jean family would like to start by saying thank you to the detectives of the Orlando Police Department for all of the hours and hard work in the week since Alex was killed.  We appreciate you working so diligently to make an arrest in this case.

Alexander Jason St. Jean was well loved. He was the light of my life and my only child. He had a smile that lit up every room he entered, and he found joy in making others laugh. He had a profound sense of loyalty, and great empathy for others who were suffering. He would often bring home friends who needed a place to sleep or a meal.  He was an avid fisherman and an incredibly talented athlete; excelling both on the basketball court and the baseball field, but it was his son that was truly the light of his life, and through him we know that Alex will continue to shine on."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.


Recommended Videos