Nelson Rivera

Nelson Ismael Rivera Tobías (24 June 1991 – 3 October 2010) was a Salvadoran footballer who last played as a defender for Isidro Metapan until his death.

Nelson Rivera

Personal information
Full name	Nelson Ismael Rivera Tobías
Date of birth	(1991-06-24)24 June 1991
Place of birth	Santa Ana, El Salvador
Date of death	3 October 2010(2010-10-03) (aged 19)
Place of death	San Salvador, El Salvador
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position	Defender
Youth career
2008–2009	Turín-FESA
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2010	Titán
2010	Isidro Metapan.	1	(0)
International career
2008–2010	El Salvador U20
2010	El Salvador U21
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rivera and the second or maternal family name is Tobías.

Club career

Rivera started his career at Third Division outfit Turín-FESA and moved one level up when signed by Salvadoran second division side Titán in 2009. He then joined Primera División de Fútbol de El Salvador team Isidro Metapan before the start of the 2010 Apertura.^[1]

Death

On the night of 18 September 2010, Rivera was shot in the head after unknown gunmen attacked the car he was traveling in.^[2] According to sources, Rivera was traveling with teammates Andrés Flores and Kevin Santamaria when they came under gunfire. The incident took place in El Congo, shortly after they had played a league match against UES.

A series of operations to try to remove the bullet were made, but Rivera died in an intensive care unit on the night of 3 October 2010.^[3]

On 16 October 2010, the alleged killers were caught and charged with aggravated homicide. The Attorney General's Office confirmed through a press release the capture of Victor Manuel Colorado and Daniel Sanchez, both involved in the death of the young footballer.^{[4][needs update]}