Residents, Friends React to Arrest in Avila Double Homicide

One day after Sheriff David Gee announced the of Julian Ospina-Florez, residents of the exclusive, gated subdivision of Avila in north Tampa reacted to the news, saying they felt a sense of relief in knowing that a Carrollwood man was behind bars after the Monday evening slaying of Debra Rivera, 55, and Dr. Hector Rivera, 76.

But others wondered if Debra Rivera had been too trusting of Ospina-Florez, her 31-year-old driver and assistant, who law enforcement officials say she had grown less fond of before she was killed.

"It was so senseless," said Carol Nieto, a friend of the Riveras, about their deaths. "I think anybody you let in your house and drive you, you should check them out. I think she (Debra) was a little too trusting."

John Lund, a Tampa attorney who has lived in the plush subdivision of about 400 homes since 1984, said he had never heard of such a violent crime being committed in a place where security is paramount.

"I was convinced it wasn't a breach of trust, now that we know it was her driver," said Lund of safety in the subdivision that is home to sports stars and some of the Tampa Bay area's elite. "It's a relief to everyone in the community."

Lund, who knew the couple and their adult son, who bears his slain father's name, called them "a top-notch family who worked hard in the community."

While those who knew the Riveras continued reeling from their deaths, Ospina-Florez made his first court appearance before Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Walter Heinrich with a court appointed attorney, according to a story in the Tampa Bay Times.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, according to Debbie Carter, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, but Ospina-Florez had somehow "fallen out of good graces" with Debra Rivera.

"She suspected him of taking things," Carter said on Wednesday. "We're not exactly sure what transpired, but we know their relationship wasn't as good as it could have been."

Carter said Ospina-Florez hasn't been named a suspect in a Jan. 2 burglary case that stemmed from items being stolen from the couple's home at 814 Taray De Avila. It's unknown how long Ospina-Florez worked for the couple, Carter said.

Gee said things began to unfold on Monday, when Ospina-Florez - a naturalized citizen from Colombia - took Debra Rivera to the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota to get merchandise for her business, Distinctive Creations. The business sells high-end costume jewelry, Gee said.

When they got back to the home in Avila, Ospina-Florez attacked Debra Rivera and fatally shot her, Gee said. Sometime after she was killed, Hector Rivera arrived at home after being out watching a National Championship football game, and was attacked and killed by Opsina-Florez, Gee said.

The sheriff’s office received several calls reporting gunshots in the subdivision just before 8 p.m. on Monday.

Hector Rivera, who retired from his practice in Town 'N Country, was found in the front yard, according to Carter. Debra Rivera was found inside the home in the bathroom, Carter said.

Ospina-Florez was also at the home, Gee said, and made a 911 call to the sheriff's office. He represented himself as a victim in the case, Gee added.

Gee said a receipt for a Dec. 7 ammunition purchase from Walmart was found. The box of ammunition was the same brand and caliber found inside of Ospina-Florez's car, Gee said.

On Wednesday, little activity could be seen at Avila, where authorities from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office remained a presence.

The same can be said of Ospina-Florez's home at 11718 Wesson Circle in Carrollwood Pines, a group of beige townhouses near North Dale Mabry Highway. No one answered the door at Ospina-Florez's home on Wednesday, or the homes nearby.

Meanwhile, friends of the Riveras say they hope the tragic situation involving an employee fatally shooting their employers will serve as a teachable moment.

"It's a lesson to all of us," Nieto said, "to be cautious."