Arrest made in murder of popular Miami Norland Senior High football coach Keon Smith – NBC 6 South Florida

Police said an arrest has been made in connection with the murder of a popular South Florida football coach last week.

Lance Brian Rolle, 39, was arrested on second-degree murder charges in connection with the June 3 killing of Keon Bernard Smith in Opa-locka, Miami-Dade police said Tuesday.

Smith, 49, was quarterback coach at Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami Gardens.

According to police, Smith was outside his girlfriend’s home in the area between Northwest 132nd Street and Northwest 28th Avenue when the suspect appeared and shot him with a firearm, hitting him several times before fleeing on foot.

Smith had been shot multiple times. The Miami-Dade Fire Department arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Investigators later identified the shooter as Rolle, officials said. He turned himself in to police on Tuesday and was taken to jail.

Police have not released a possible motive for the shooting.

Smith’s murder sparked an outpouring of support for his family in the community.

“On behalf of Principal Gaines-Miller, Coach Heidelburg, the Miami Norland Senior High School family and the entire football team, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to Coach Keon Smith’s family. It was truly an honor to work with him as a coach, mentor and leader,” the school said in a message. “You will be truly missed in the Viking Nation.”

Smith’s wife also paid tribute to her husband after his murder.

The wife of Keon Smith, a football coach at Miami Norland Senior High School, speaks out after his tragic death. Niko Clemmons of NBC6 reports

“He was a good man, he was a good man,” India Smith said. “He doesn’t have the opportunity to coach his last son who wants to play football.”

The two were married for almost 24 years and have eight children and two grandchildren.