John Chester Asch Jr., aged 44, passed away on October 24, 2017, in Pinellas Park, Florida. His death was the result of a tragic incident that occurred on October 23, 2017. Asch, who was homeless and residing in the area around Kenneth City and Pinellas Park, was shot while riding his bicycle. The incident took place at approximately 7:00 p.m. in the 6600 block of 62nd Avenue North.
Initially, the incident was reported as a bicycle accident, but further investigation revealed that Asch had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg for treatment but succumbed to his injuries two days later.
The investigation into Asch's death quickly turned into a homicide case. Pinellas Park police detectives identified the suspect as 16-year-old Jason Allen Olivo-Smith. According to reports, Olivo-Smith had approached Asch at a convenience store and asked him to buy beer, giving him money for the purchase. Instead of buying the beer, Asch rode away on his bicycle with the money. Olivo-Smith then chased Asch and shot him in the head with a handgun. The suspect was apprehended on October 26, 2017, and charged with first-degree murder. He was booked into the Pinellas County Juvenile Assessment Center.
The case garnered significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding the incident and the age of the suspect. Olivo-Smith's actions were described as a senseless act of violence over a small amount of money. The legal proceedings that followed focused on the severity of the crime and the appropriate punishment for a juvenile offender charged with such a serious offense. The community of Pinellas Park was left in shock and mourning over the loss of John Asch, a man who, despite his circumstances, was remembered fondly by his family and friends.
