A Florida man will spend the rest of his life in prison for fatally shooting his father-in-law in front of a 15-year-old boy. Ruben Pioquinto, 32, was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Anderson Guerra Rivera. Pioquinto received a life sentence on Friday following his conviction.
The Tragic Events
The disturbing incident took place on January 19, 2022, when the victim’s family reported Guerra Rivera missing and possibly murdered. The investigation revealed that the 15-year-old stepson of the victim was the key witness to the crime. According to the boy, Pioquinto had killed Guerra Rivera the night before.
The teenager told police that the three of them were in a car, with Guerra Rivera in the passenger seat and the boy in the backseat. During the drive, Pioquinto fired shots into the air and pointed the gun at another man outside the car, whom the boy didn’t recognize.
Later, Pioquinto turned the gun on Guerra Rivera. The victim was asked, “Are you afraid of dying?” to which he responded, “No.” Without hesitation, Pioquinto shot Guerra Rivera in the head, killing him at point-blank range.
The Aftermath and Threats
After shooting the victim, Pioquinto drove off with Guerra Rivera’s lifeless body and the terrified 15-year-old boy. He drove to a bridge on U.S. Highway 19 in Palmetto, where he ordered the boy to remove the body and leave it on the side of the road.
Pioquinto also threatened the boy’s life, warning him not to tell anyone about what had happened.
The following morning, after returning home, Pioquinto attempted to intimidate the boy further by slapping him and even trying to bite him. He forced the boy to lie on the couch so that he could “keep an eye on him.”
The boy fell asleep, and the next day, a family member inquired about Guerra Rivera’s whereabouts. This prompted the boy to finally speak up about the horrific events of the night before.
Legal Proceedings and Conviction
Pioquinto was arrested and, after a four-day trial in November, was convicted of second-degree murder. On Friday, a judge sentenced him to life in prison for the brutal killing.
Authorities described the crime as a “cold-blooded killing,” with Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells calling it a “point blank range” murder.
Ruben Pioquinto’s actions have led to a devastating loss for the family of Anderson Guerra Rivera. His life sentence serves as a reminder of the tragic consequences of such senseless violence, especially when witnessed by a young person.
