Duval County Jury Finds Rivera-Phillip Guilty of Murder, Armed Burglary

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Dominiqe Rivera-Phillip guilty of First-Degree Murder and Armed Burglary with Assault or Battery. Rivera-Phillip entered a plea of guilty to the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon after the jury returned its verdict. With the verdict, Rivera-Phillip faces a mandatory life sentence in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Anthony Salem will formally sentence Rivera-Phillip at a later date.

On the afternoon of May 9, 2022, the victim’s mother called the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office after finding her adult son shot to death inside his apartment. The investigation revealed Rivera-Phillip was staying with the victim after his girlfriend kicked him out. On May 6, 2022, Rivera-Phillip and two women drove to the victim’s apartment for Rivera-Phillip to retrieve his belongings; he no longer wanted to stay with the victim. The two women waited in the car as Rivera-Phillip brought items from the apartment to the car. He then walked back into the victim’s apartment and the women heard several gunshots. Rivera-Phillip ran out and they drove off.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Erin Wolfson and Kelli Shobe.