On October 27. 2025, Ronald Smith Jr. (black male, DOB: 04-04-2008) was arrested in Oklahoma City, Okla., in connection with the NOPD’s investigation of a homicide that occurred on October 6, 2025, in the 3700 block of Texas Drive.

Just after 8:00 p.m. on October 6, NOPD Fourth District officers responded to a call of a shooting at the listed location. Upon arrival, officers found a teenage male gunshot wound victim, who was later declared on scene by New Orleans EMS to be deceased.

On October 8, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as a 17-year-old juvenile male and determined preliminary cause of death to be from gunshot-related injuries.

As investigation into the incident progressed, NOPD Homicide Section detectives developed and positively identified Smith to be the perpetrator in this incident. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Smith on one count of second-degree murder.

While working to locate the suspect, NOPD’s Violent Offender Warrant Squad learned Smith had reportedly fled New Orleans and was possibly with a relative in Oklahoma City, Okla. This information was sent to authorities in Oklahoma City, where U.S. Marshals and NOPD VOWS detectives worked to locate and arrest Smith on October 27.

A photo of Smith was not available at ths time of this writing.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with additional information that can assist in this investigation is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.