ORLANDO, Fla. _ Ocoee High football player and Louisville signee Dexter Rentz Jr. died after being shot late Saturday, Orlando police confirmed Sunday.
At about 11:19 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Elese Street and Deerock Drive. Four people were shot, with Rentz the only victim who has died from his wounds.
Police detained a person driving away from the area of the shooting, but OPD later reported it was not related to the incident.
Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield issued a statement that read: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dexter Rentz. He was a great young man who had a contagious personality, and was able to light up a room with his smile. He was a great kid to be around and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rentz family during this extremely difficult time."
Before police confirmed Rentz was killed, Orlando area high school players and multiple football coaches posted tributes to Rentz on social media early Sunday morning.
"I got the phone call today about some sad news about the loss of one of my (nine) guys that have signed on to play college football," Ocoee assistant coach Henry Anderson wrote on Facebook on Sunday at 2:17 a.m. "Not only (have) I lost a good kid but lost a brother."
Rentz, a cornerback/slot receiver, and Ocoee teammate Lovie Jenkins signed with the University of Louisville in December. Rentz burst on the scene as a sophomore. Filling in for an injured teammate, Rentz saw his first extended varsity action and came up big, tying a state record with five interceptions in the game.
He scored 15 touchdowns this past season and totaled almost 2,000 yards during his Ocoee career. Rentz chose Louisville over scholarship offers from 22 other Football Bowl Subdivision programs.
Rentz and Jenkins were due to take their official recruiting visit to Louisville during the weekend of May 10 and enroll at the school in June.
Jenkins posted to his Twitter account @Lovie1k early Sunday morning, "Forever I gotcha brotha." He posted again about four hours later. "I promise working harder than I ever did."
Local trainer Aaron Jones also took to social media, posting on Facebook at 1:40 a.m.: "Found out one of the players I know lost his life tonight. Feeling really pained right now. Violence in Orlando taking too many lives."
Former University of Florida player Keiwan Ratliff, now on staff with the Gators as an assistant director of player personnel, knew Rentz from his time as part of Ratliff's Rat Pak 7-on-7 teams.
"I'm sitting here staring at your picture wishing I didn't get that call," wrote Ratliff in a Twitter post at 1:33 a.m. "Dexter Rentz was a young man full of positive energy and good vibes who always had a smile on his face. He will be truly missed by his family and everyone who ever met him."
Ocoee teammate Kelton Law posted on Twitter, "Never thought I lose someone else close to me. I looked out for you like the brother I never had. Yo mom shouldn't be going through this. LIVE THROUGH ME."
Attempts to reach Ocoee head coach Aaron Sheppard were unsuccessful.
