Michael Alvarado and Michael Roman Indicted for Drive-by Shooting of 19-Year-Old Johndiel Rivera on I-480 in Bedford Heights

On February 1, 2025, around 3:50 a.m., Johndiel Rivera was driving home from work on I-480 westbound. Another vehicle driven by Michael Roman, with Michael Alvarado as the front seat passenger, approached Rivera’s vehicle near Aurora Road exit. They shot Rivera’s vehicle multiple times and fled the scene in their vehicle. Johndiel Rivera’s vehicle then hit the concrete median of the highway and came to a complete stop. Roman and Alvarado later returned back to the scene and fired additional shots to Rivera’s vehicle.

Hours later, around 7 a.m., the Bedford Heights Police Department (BHPD) responded to a call about an abandoned vehicle on the highway. The police found Johndiel Rivera still inside the vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. Rivera was pronounced deceased on scene.

Further investigation conducted by BHPD revealed Michael Alvarado worked with Johndiel Rivera. Michael Roman picked up Michael Alvarado and waited for Rivera to leave work. Alvarado and Roman then followed Rivera’s vehicle. In addition, Alvarado called off from work for the two days after the homicide.

On February 26, 2025, Michael Alvarado was arrested by the BHPD. On February 28, 2025, Michael Roman was arrested by the U.S. Marshals’ Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.

On March 3, 2025, Michael Alvarado and Michael Roman were indicted on the following charges:

• One count of Aggravated Murder
• Two counts of Murder
• Two counts of Felonious Assault
• One count of Discharge of Firearm On or Near Prohibited Premises

Michael Roman was additionally charged on the following two charges:

• One count of Having Weapons Under Disability
• One count of Involuntary Manslaughter

They will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.