Orlando man arrested for shooting, killing teen walking home from school nearly 5 years ago: deputies

Arrest made in cold case death of student

A man has been arrested for the murder of a 15-year-old Boone High School student whose cellphone him and his accomplice were trying to steal.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - An Orlando man has been arrested for reportedly shooting and killing a teenager as he walked home from school nearly five years ago, authorities said.

Deandre Florence, 23, is facing charges of first-degree felony murder, racketeering, and robbery, the Orange County Sheriff's office said. Officials said he has been a suspect in the case since the very beginning. 

On Dec. 18, 2018, deputies said Florence robbed and then shot and killed a 15-year-old Boone High School student, Alejandro "Alex" Vargas Martinez, along Waldo Street. 

Deandre Florence (Photo via Orange County Sheriffs Office)

Martinez was on the phone with his mother when the incident happened, Sheriff John Mina told reporters during a news conference Friday morning. 

Authorities did not officially say how they connected Florence to Martinez's murder.

Alex Martinez's family reacts to arrest in his death

The family of Alejandro "Alex" Martinez spoke during a press conference Friday where an arrest was announced in the death of the 15-year-old Boone High School student. Officials said Martinez was shot and killed while walking to school in 2018 after someone tried to rob him of his cell phone.

"This case took a lot of twists and turns in the nearly five years since Alex was killed," Mina said. " We can't imagine the pain and suffering that they [family] have gone through losing a 15-year-old high school student to gun violence." 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.