3rd Murder Charge in Pulaski County Homicide

Three Waynesville men have now been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action eight months after a confrontation at a convenience store in Pulaski County led to a shooting.

53-year old Joseph Danielson of Waynesville was charged Monday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. His bond was set at $500,000. As of Monday night, Danielson wasn’t in custody.

The charges against Danielson involve the murder of retired Staff Sergeant Greg Rivera. He was shot to death in his driveway in St. Robert in October 2020.

Court records say at around 10:30 p.m. October 16, 2020, Joseph Danielson and Steven Allison went to Mobil on the Run in St. Robert. While they were there, they also saw Bryan Gardner, Gregory Rivera, and Jill Rivera.

The probable cause statement detailed an exchange between Gardner and the Riveras and said Gregory Rivera ended up in an altercation with Gardner. Officials said the Riveras eventually got in their vehicle and drove off while Gardner continued to yell at the couple.

According to the investigation, Jill Rivera and Joseph Danielson had been in a relationship while the Riveras had been previously separated. During that time, Jill Rivera took an engagement ring and money from Danielson, according to the probable cause statement.

Just a few minutes after they left, detectives said Allison and Gardner drove to the Riveras’ home in the 21000-block of Highway Y.

Allison and Gardner got out of the vehicle, and the Riveras met them on the driveway. Jill Rivera said her husband drew his pistol and positioned it down at his side as he approached the other two men. After a brief exchange of words between the men, Allison shot Gregory Rivera four times and killed him.

Gardner and Allison are already in custody and are being held on bonds of one million dollars.