Orlando police are asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect who was allegedly involved in the 2020 shooting death of an Ocoee High School football player.
In a social media post on Thursday, January 2, 2025, the Orlando Police Department stated that it has an active warrant for Jerome Smith III. He is wanted for second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Dexter Antonio Rentz, Jr.
No further details were provided by police regarding Smith’s alleged involvement in this case.
If you know the whereabouts of Jerome Smith III, the Orlando Police Department asks that you call 1-800-423-TIPS(8477) or click here to submit an online tip. In the event that your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
The fatal shooting occurred at around 11:10 p.m. on April 25, 2020. That night, OPD officers responded to a drive-by shooting that occurred outside a residence in the 5100 block of Elese Street in Orlando.
When OPD officers arrived on scene, they discovered that multiple individuals had sustained injuries in the shooting.
One of those victims, Rentz, was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. He was the sole fatality.
At the time of the shooting, Rentz was an 18-year-old senior at Ocoee High School. He was a standout football player and had committed to playing college football at the University of Louisville on a full scholarship.
Nearly four years after the fatal shooting, on March 27, 2024, the Orlando Police Department announced that another suspect in this case, Christopher Burke, was apprehended by law enforcement and transported to Orange County Jail.
Burke is currently being held at Orange County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He is being charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder.
Orange County court records show that Burke has pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Friday, January 17, 2025.