Orlando police arrest 3 more suspects linked to deadly shooting over alleged stolen property

ORLANDO, Fla. - Three additional suspects have been identified and taken into custody in connection with a deadly shooting in May.

The Orlando Police Department initially only arrested Joseph Petrus, 41, who's been charged with first-degree murder after Daryl Willis Jr., 33, was found with a gunshot wound. Willis was transported to the hospital where he later died, the department said.

‘Returning stolen property’

The backstory:

Based on its investigation, Orlando Police detectives determined Willis was in the area of the 5000 block of Chesapeake Avenue returning property allegedly stolen from Petrus the night before, the department said.

Police said Willis agreed to return to the property when Petrus arrived and shot Willis as he was leaving. Willis crashed into a tree, police said.

Petrus drove away, but officers quickly apprehended him, the department said.

Jennifer Bennett, Jessica Bennett and Susan Holloway are accused of tampering with evidence after a May 2026 murder in Orlando. (Source: Orlando Police Department)

Tampering with evidence: 3 more arrests

What we know:

Detectives learned the shooting stemmed from a dispute over alleged stolen property from Jessica and Jennifer Bennett's mother the night before the shooting, OPD said on Aug. 20.

Investigators learned that Willis agreed to return to the property and went back to the residence the following day, but Jessica Bennett, Jennifer Bennett, Holloway and Petrus planned to recover the property together, the department said.

Police said Jessica Bennett and Holloway drove back to the crash scene to retrieve the stolen property after the shooting. Officials claim Jennifer Bennett also tampered with evidence.