Rondell Demetrius Jr. Street, a man remembered by loved ones as loving, caring, and happy, was born in Maryland on March 13, 1989. Known to some by the nickname “No Chill,” he was a 27-year-old Black man and a father to one child. He had attended Owings Mills High School in the northwestern suburbs of Baltimore County. His life, however, was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence that left his family and community searching for answers that have yet to come.
In the pre-dawn hours of Friday, April 1, 2016, Rondell was at the Ace Lounge in East Baltimore. At approximately 3:46 a.m., he was in the rear yard of the establishment, located in the 1000 block of Hillen Street, when an unknown man confronted him. Witnesses later told investigators that the man was attempting to rob Rondell. During the confrontation, the assailant produced a gun and shot Rondell before immediately fleeing the scene. The shooter vanished before police could arrive.
First responders rushed to the scene and found Rondell critically wounded. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. For five days, he fought for his life, but the injuries he sustained were too severe. On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, Rondell Demetrius Jr. Street succumbed to his gunshot wound. His death was officially classified as a homicide by the Baltimore Police Department, marking the city's second homicide of that month.
The investigation into Rondell’s murder was launched immediately by homicide detectives. They appealed to the public for any information regarding the attempted robbery and shooting, hoping someone might have seen something that could lead to the gunman. Despite witness accounts of the initial confrontation, no suspect was publicly identified, and no significant leads emerged. The trail for law enforcement grew cold, and the identity of the person who took Rondell’s life remained a mystery.
In the days following his death, Rondell’s family prepared to say their final goodbyes. A private viewing for the family was held on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at the Beverly D. Cromartie Funeral Service Chapel on Edmondson Avenue. That evening, a public viewing was held at the Perkins Square Baptist Church, a longstanding institution in the community, allowing friends and loved ones to pay their respects. The following morning, on April 15, a wake and funeral service were held at the same church, where those who knew and loved Rondell gathered to mourn their profound loss.
Years have passed since Rondell Street was killed, and his case remains an open and unsolved homicide. Detectives with the Baltimore Police Department have periodically revisited the investigation, hoping for a new piece of information or a fresh lead that could finally bring a measure of closure to his grieving family and hold his killer accountable. To date, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named in connection with the murder. The case stands as a painful reminder of a young life cut short by violence.
The investigation into the murder of Rondell Demetrius Jr. Street is ongoing. Anyone with information that could help detectives solve this case is asked to call the Baltimore Police Department at (410) 396-2100. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
