Latest news with #OrangeCountyPublicSchools
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dispute before Osceola ambush killing involved girlfriend's son, police say
An Osceola County man ambushed five people — killing one teenager and injuring another — after they drove to the man's home to have an agreed-upon fistfight with his longtime girlfriend's son, court records show. Orvill Osorio-Ortiz, 42, was arrested May 13 on a charge of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted first-degree murder in the April 11 shooting ambush, which occurred near his residence in St. Cloud on Kellchris Lane. Osorio-Ortiz's girlfriend of 10 years, 48-year-old Jessica Rivera, was arrested May 15 on a charge of tampering with evidence in the case, records show. Police say Rivera, a school food service worker at the time, hid a phone potentially related to the case on the campus of a Winter Garden elementary school. Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez said at a May 14 news conference that the shootings stemmed from an argument among several young adults over a girl and involved insults exchanged over texts. Osorio-Ortiz's arrest warrant, which called the shooting a premeditated ambush, shows the argument centered around Rivera's 18-year-old son, Josiah Lombillo, who lived with his mother and Osorio-Ortiz, and 20-year-old Keniel Gonzalez. The warrant shows Lombillo and Gonzalez arranged to meet and settle their dispute with a fistfight. Lombillo later said he was no longer in the area. Gonzalez still drove to Osorio-Ortiz and Rivera's residence with four of his friends in a red Toyota Corolla. The car was shot at as they drove past the residence. The same car later showed up at UCF Lake Nona Hospital with injured passengers. One of Gonzalez's friends, a 19-year-old, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The sheriff's office identified the victim as Nekko Herrera, but the teenager's online obituary lists him as Neiko Herrera. Another 19-year-old friend was airlifted to a different hospital for emergency surgery and is now stable, Lopez said. Witnesses reported seeing armed individuals emerge from a fence opening at the residence and said that the suspects fired multiple rounds before going back into the home. A witness described one of the individuals, who wielded a handgun, as resembling Osorio-Ortiz, the warrant said. It is not clear if the sheriff's office is searching for other suspects. Cellphone records show Osorio-Ortiz, Rivera and Lombillo moved out of Osceola County after the shooting. The records also show that Osorio-Ortiz was in the area of the shooting at the time it occurred, according to the warrant. One of the people in the car who survived the shooting identified Osorio-Ortiz out of a photo lineup as the handgun-wielding individual who shot at their car from the side of the residence, the warrant said. A group of cartridge casings was found to the side of the home. Rivera was arrested May 15 at Whispering Oak Elementary School, where she worked, and was taken to the Orange County Jail, according to a Monday news release from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. Orange County Public Schools confirmed she was a food service employee at the school and was arrested after hours. A spokesperson said she will not be returning to the school. Police served Rivera with a search warrant for cellphones on May 13, and she gave them a device they later determined was not her primary phone at the time of the shooting. On May 15, detectives listened to a jail phone call between Osorio-Ortiz and Rivera. Osorio-Ortiz contacted Rivera using a phone number records showed she had previously used, according to her arrest warrant. In that phone call, Rivera advised Osorio-Ortiz that she would get a new number and discard her old phone because it 'was gold to law enforcement,' the warrant shows. When police arrived on campus, Rivera turned around and went back into the school after she saw them. She then went into a bathroom, concealed a phone inside a desk there and when deputies found her, she told them she didn't have her phone with her, the warrant said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Elementary school employee accused of evidence tampering in Osceola County teen's murder case
The Brief A school cafeteria worker was arrested on campus for allegedly tampering with evidence in a teen's murder case. Deputies say Jessica Rivera is connected to the accused shooter, who ambushed teens after a text dispute. The district says Rivera will not return to work, though the investigation is still unfolding. WINTER GARDEN, Fla. - A food service employee at a Winter Garden elementary school was arrested on campus last week, accused of tampering with evidence in connection to the deadly shooting of a teenager in Osceola County. What we know Jessica Rivera, 48, a food service employee at Whispering Oak Elementary School in Winter Garden, was arrested on campus last Thursday. She is accused of tampering with evidence in connection to the April 11 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Neiko Herrera in Osceola County. Deputies say Rivera, 42, interfered with the investigation both prior to and during her arrest. She is now being held without bond at the Osceola County Jail. What we don't know Authorities have not disclosed what specific evidence Rivera is accused of tampering with or the nature of her interference during the arrest. It's also unclear what her exact role was in the aftermath of the shooting or how investigators tied her to the case. The backstory The case stems from a deadly shooting at the Sandalwood Mobile Home Park in St. Cloud, where 42-year-old Orvill Osorio Ortiz allegedly ambushed a group of teenagers following a text message argument over a girl. Herrera was killed in the attack. Osorio Ortiz, who authorities say was in a relationship with Rivera, was arrested last week in Pasco County and is now jailed on charges including premeditated murder and probation violation. Big picture view The arrest has raised community concerns about school safety and employee vetting, especially given Rivera's recognition earlier this year as one of the top employees at Whispering Oak Elementary. Orange County Public Schools confirmed she will not return to her job but declined further comment, citing employee privacy. What's next Orange County Public Schools confirmed Rivera would not be returning to the school but declined to comment further, citing employee privacy policies. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, and the Orange County Public Schools.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Orlando man arrested after school bus stop shooting that endangered kids, police say
The Brief Orlando police said at least three people were involved in a shootout in front of a school bus. Police said one bullet hit the side of the bus while roughly 30 students were on board. OCPS said no students were hurt. ORLANDO, Fla. - A man from Orlando has been arrested as a suspect in a shooting with at least two other people that happened in front of a school bus. What we know The shooting happened on April 23, around 6 a.m. at a school bus stop on Heber Circle and Imogene Court in Orlando's Carver Shores neighborhood. Police said a school bus with approximately 30 students aboard was hit by one bullet. No one on the bus was hurt, Orange County Public Schools confirmed to FOX 35 News. Willie Howard was arrested May 5 on charges of attempted second-degree murder and exhibiting a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school. Howard was released on bond for a tampering with evidence charge in this case while police gathered evidence to tack on shooting charges. Police said they secured a juvenile detention order for another suspect but did not confirm to FOX 35 News whether the suspect was in custody. Police said a man was shot. He was taken to the hospital and was released the same day. Police said the man was not cooperative with their investigation. Police said at least three people in two cars traded 27 shots. Police said they found three different calibers of bullets at the scene. A motive was not in the police reports reviewed by FOX 35 News. Neighbors said they woke up to the sound of gunshots and were glad to hear of the arrests. What they're saying Orlando police said at least three people were involved in a shootout in front of a school bus. "It was very scary to know that at any moment a bullet could come through, and I don't what I would if that — I don't want to think about it," Brianna Hill said about the shooting. "I cannot imagine sending my kid to school to come home either one not being able to come home, or not be able to come home the way I sent him off," Hill said." "You put 30 kids in danger," Hill said. "Kids that don't even know what the world is yet. And they get shot at. And now they have to live with that." What's next Howard has a court date next week. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source FOX 35 News reviewed the warrant for the arrest of Willie Howard for the police information from this story. FOX 35 News also confirmed information through Orange County Public Schools. FOX 35 News went to the scene of the shooting and spoke with neighbors on and off camera. One of the interviewees shared video of the crime scene. FOX 35 News watched and recorded Howard's initial appearance on the attempted murder charges on May 6.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
OCPS: Oak Ridge High School student killed in early morning crash
A student at Oak Ridge High School was killed Monday morning after being hit by a car in an accident that happened next to the school campus, according to Orange County Public Schools. Florida Highway Patrol was dispatched to a road next to the school, located at the intersection of West Oak Ridge and Winegard roads, just after 8 a.m. following reports of the crash involving a pedestrian and a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The student's name has not been released by FHP or OCPS. When asked, a school district statement referred questions about the victim's identity to law enforcement. 'Families of Oak Ridge High School were notified that a student was struck by a vehicle this morning just off campus,' read the statement sent by spokesperson Michael Ollendorff. 'School administration is assisting law enforcement as they investigate the incident.' An FHP spokesperson said the driver stayed on scene while the student was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where they died. No other details have been released as the investigation continues. As of Monday afternoon, the road at the scene remains blocked, according to FHP dispatch records. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Student struck and killed by car near Oak Ridge HS, district officials confirm
A student died Monday morning after being struck by a car near Oak Ridge High School, Orange County Public Schools announced. 'Families of Oak Ridge High School were notified that a student was struck by a vehicle this morning just off campus. School administration is assisting law enforcement as they investigate the incident,' OCPS told Channel 9 in an email. State troopers said it happened on Oak Ridge Road west of Winegard Road shortly after 8 a.m. According to Florida Highway Patrol, the crash involved a Dodge Avenger sedan that struck a person on Oak Ridge Road. FHP said the person hit by the car was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center but did not survive. The agency has not released any specific information about the student. The driver of the Dodge was not hurt and stayed at the crash site, troopers said. As of 10:15 a.m., FHP reported roadblock on Oak Ridge Road west of Winegard Road. Monitor and watch Eyewitness News at Noon for a live update on this story. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
