Riverview Murders
Familicide and Child Murder
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Riverview, Florida
TIME PERIOD
March 18, 2018
VICTIMS
2 confirmed
On March 18, 2018, in Riverview, Florida, 29-year-old Ronnie O'Neal III committed a familicide, fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend, 33-year-old Kenyatta Barron, and brutally attacking their 9-year-old daughter, Ron'Niveya O'Neal, with a hatchet, resulting in her death. Their 8-year-old son, Ronnie O'Neal IV, survived the attack and provided critical testimony to law enforcement, stating, "My father shot my mother." The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to 911 calls at approximately 11:43 p.m. and discovered Kenyatta unconscious outside the residence. O'Neal was later convicted on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, and sentenced on July 23, 2021, to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 90 years. Significant evidence included the 911 calls made during the incident, which captured O'Neal's erratic behavior and statements indicative of his mental state.
Some believe Ronnie O'Neal III's actions were driven by mental illness, while others speculate that religious extremism played a significant role in the familicide. There are also theories suggesting that O'Neal's history of domestic violence and turmoil in his relationship with Kenyatta Barron contributed to the tragic events. Additionally, some community members express concern about the adequacy of mental health resources in preventing such violent incidents.
The Riverview Murders: A Night of Horror in Florida
Introduction
On a fateful night in Riverview, Florida, a small community was shaken to its core. The events of March 18, 2018, would leave two dead, one critically injured, and an entire neighborhood grappling with the brutality of a crime rooted in familial ties. This is the chilling account of the Riverview murders, where 29-year-old Ronnie O’Neal III turned his home into a scene of unimaginable violence.
The Crime Unfolds
As the clock neared midnight, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a desperate 911 call. Although the caller was unidentified, it is now believed to have been Kenyatta Barron, Ronnie’s 33-year-old ex-girlfriend. In the background, a man’s voice ominously declared, “She killed me,” followed by a fervent, “Allah Akbar.” The call abruptly disconnected, leaving dispatchers in a state of alarm.
Just eight minutes later, another call came through. This time, a man’s voice—Ronnie O’Neal III—claimed he had been attacked by “white demons” and accused Kenyatta, affectionately referred to as “Ke-Ke,” of trying to kill him. His chilling confession followed: “I just killed her.” He provided their home address, sealing the fate of those inside.
Deputies arrived swiftly at 11:49 p.m., only to discover Kenyatta Barron lying unconscious in the yard, her life extinguished before their arrival. Inside the home, a horrific scene awaited. Ronnie O’Neal III had brutally attacked his own children. Nine-year-old Ron’Niveya O’Neal was hacked to death with a hatchet, while her brother, eight-year-old Ronnie O’Neal IV, was stabbed and left gravely injured.
In an act of finality, O’Neal set the house ablaze. Despite his critical injuries, young Ronnie IV managed to escape the inferno, telling detectives, “My father shot my mother,” before being rushed to a Tampa hospital.
The Arrest
When law enforcement attempted to apprehend Ronnie O’Neal III, he resisted arrest, forcing officers to deploy a taser to subdue him. Even while being transported in a squad car, his delusions persisted. He labeled Kenyatta as “the devil” and his own children as “the devil’s kids.” The following day, he was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.
The Investigation
In the days following the murders, Ronnie IV bravely recounted his harrowing experience to detectives. On March 22, just four days after the attack, his testimony provided crucial details of the night he lost his mother and sister.
Trial and Sentencing
The trial of Ronnie O’Neal III commenced on June 16, 2021. In a surprising move, O’Neal chose to represent himself, cross-examining his surviving son, who was now a key witness for the prosecution. In a courtroom filled with tension, O’Neal asked his son if he had been hurt that night. The boy’s response was unequivocal: “Yes. You stabbed me.”
Ronnie O’Neal III’s defense team initially argued self-defense, invoking Florida’s stand-your-ground law. However, the judge dismissed this plea, citing O’Neal’s ineligibility for such a defense. The trial concluded on June 21, 2021, with O’Neal found guilty on all charges: two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse, one count of arson, and one count of resisting a law enforcement officer.
On July 23, 2021, the court handed down its sentence—three consecutive life terms without parole, supplemented by an additional 90 years. Judge Michelle Sisco, moved by the brutality of the case, remarked that it was the “worst case [she’d] ever seen” in her 19-year career, particularly highlighting the “abject cruelty” inflicted upon Ron’Niveya.
State Attorney Andrew Warren echoed these sentiments, describing the murders as “among the most cruel and vicious” the community had ever witnessed.
Life After Tragedy
In a heartwarming turn of events, the sole survivor of this tragedy found a new beginning. On November 25, 2019, detective Mike Blair—who had been at the scene on that dreadful night—adopted Ronnie IV. The boy, now known as Ronnie Blair, joined a loving family with Mike, his wife Danyel, and their five other children. Reflecting on the night of the murders, Mike expressed disbelief at Ronnie’s survival, calling it a miracle. For Ronnie, the adoption brought solace and a sense of belonging. “I am loved,” he shared, “I am part of the family.”
Sources
For more information, visit the original Wikipedia article: Riverview Murders
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Familicide in Riverview
Ronnie O'Neal III fatally shot his ex-girlfriend and hacked their daughter to death.
911 Calls Received
Multiple 911 calls reported the attack, with Ronnie III claiming he was attacked by 'white demons'.
Arrest of Ronnie O'Neal III
Ronnie O'Neal III was arrested after resisting police and was booked into Hillsborough County Jail.
Surviving Son's Testimony
Ronnie IV provided detectives with his account of the events that led to the murders.
Trial Begins
Ronnie O'Neal III's trial commenced, where he represented himself and cross-examined his son.
Guilty Verdict
Ronnie O'Neal III was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and other charges.
Sentencing
Ronnie O'Neal III received three consecutive life sentences without parole plus 90 years.
Adoption of Surviving Son
Ronnie IV was adopted by Detective Mike Blair, who cared for him after the attack.
On March 18, 2018, in Riverview, Florida, 29-year-old Ronnie O'Neal III committed a familicide, fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend, 33-year-old Kenyatta Barron, and brutally attacking their 9-year-old daughter, Ron'Niveya O'Neal, with a hatchet, resulting in her death. Their 8-year-old son, Ronnie O'Neal IV, survived the attack and provided critical testimony to law enforcement, stating, "My father shot my mother." The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to 911 calls at approximately 11:43 p.m. and discovered Kenyatta unconscious outside the residence. O'Neal was later convicted on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, and sentenced on July 23, 2021, to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 90 years. Significant evidence included the 911 calls made during the incident, which captured O'Neal's erratic behavior and statements indicative of his mental state.
Some believe Ronnie O'Neal III's actions were driven by mental illness, while others speculate that religious extremism played a significant role in the familicide. There are also theories suggesting that O'Neal's history of domestic violence and turmoil in his relationship with Kenyatta Barron contributed to the tragic events. Additionally, some community members express concern about the adequacy of mental health resources in preventing such violent incidents.
The Riverview Murders: A Night of Horror in Florida
Introduction
On a fateful night in Riverview, Florida, a small community was shaken to its core. The events of March 18, 2018, would leave two dead, one critically injured, and an entire neighborhood grappling with the brutality of a crime rooted in familial ties. This is the chilling account of the Riverview murders, where 29-year-old Ronnie O’Neal III turned his home into a scene of unimaginable violence.
The Crime Unfolds
As the clock neared midnight, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a desperate 911 call. Although the caller was unidentified, it is now believed to have been Kenyatta Barron, Ronnie’s 33-year-old ex-girlfriend. In the background, a man’s voice ominously declared, “She killed me,” followed by a fervent, “Allah Akbar.” The call abruptly disconnected, leaving dispatchers in a state of alarm.
Just eight minutes later, another call came through. This time, a man’s voice—Ronnie O’Neal III—claimed he had been attacked by “white demons” and accused Kenyatta, affectionately referred to as “Ke-Ke,” of trying to kill him. His chilling confession followed: “I just killed her.” He provided their home address, sealing the fate of those inside.
Deputies arrived swiftly at 11:49 p.m., only to discover Kenyatta Barron lying unconscious in the yard, her life extinguished before their arrival. Inside the home, a horrific scene awaited. Ronnie O’Neal III had brutally attacked his own children. Nine-year-old Ron’Niveya O’Neal was hacked to death with a hatchet, while her brother, eight-year-old Ronnie O’Neal IV, was stabbed and left gravely injured.
In an act of finality, O’Neal set the house ablaze. Despite his critical injuries, young Ronnie IV managed to escape the inferno, telling detectives, “My father shot my mother,” before being rushed to a Tampa hospital.
The Arrest
When law enforcement attempted to apprehend Ronnie O’Neal III, he resisted arrest, forcing officers to deploy a taser to subdue him. Even while being transported in a squad car, his delusions persisted. He labeled Kenyatta as “the devil” and his own children as “the devil’s kids.” The following day, he was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.
The Investigation
In the days following the murders, Ronnie IV bravely recounted his harrowing experience to detectives. On March 22, just four days after the attack, his testimony provided crucial details of the night he lost his mother and sister.
Trial and Sentencing
The trial of Ronnie O’Neal III commenced on June 16, 2021. In a surprising move, O’Neal chose to represent himself, cross-examining his surviving son, who was now a key witness for the prosecution. In a courtroom filled with tension, O’Neal asked his son if he had been hurt that night. The boy’s response was unequivocal: “Yes. You stabbed me.”
Ronnie O’Neal III’s defense team initially argued self-defense, invoking Florida’s stand-your-ground law. However, the judge dismissed this plea, citing O’Neal’s ineligibility for such a defense. The trial concluded on June 21, 2021, with O’Neal found guilty on all charges: two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse, one count of arson, and one count of resisting a law enforcement officer.
On July 23, 2021, the court handed down its sentence—three consecutive life terms without parole, supplemented by an additional 90 years. Judge Michelle Sisco, moved by the brutality of the case, remarked that it was the “worst case [she’d] ever seen” in her 19-year career, particularly highlighting the “abject cruelty” inflicted upon Ron’Niveya.
State Attorney Andrew Warren echoed these sentiments, describing the murders as “among the most cruel and vicious” the community had ever witnessed.
Life After Tragedy
In a heartwarming turn of events, the sole survivor of this tragedy found a new beginning. On November 25, 2019, detective Mike Blair—who had been at the scene on that dreadful night—adopted Ronnie IV. The boy, now known as Ronnie Blair, joined a loving family with Mike, his wife Danyel, and their five other children. Reflecting on the night of the murders, Mike expressed disbelief at Ronnie’s survival, calling it a miracle. For Ronnie, the adoption brought solace and a sense of belonging. “I am loved,” he shared, “I am part of the family.”
Sources
For more information, visit the original Wikipedia article: Riverview Murders
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Familicide in Riverview
Ronnie O'Neal III fatally shot his ex-girlfriend and hacked their daughter to death.
911 Calls Received
Multiple 911 calls reported the attack, with Ronnie III claiming he was attacked by 'white demons'.
Arrest of Ronnie O'Neal III
Ronnie O'Neal III was arrested after resisting police and was booked into Hillsborough County Jail.
Surviving Son's Testimony
Ronnie IV provided detectives with his account of the events that led to the murders.
Trial Begins
Ronnie O'Neal III's trial commenced, where he represented himself and cross-examined his son.
Guilty Verdict
Ronnie O'Neal III was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and other charges.
Sentencing
Ronnie O'Neal III received three consecutive life sentences without parole plus 90 years.
Adoption of Surviving Son
Ronnie IV was adopted by Detective Mike Blair, who cared for him after the attack.