2008-01-29

On January 12, 2008, at 2:30 AM, Off. Esrael Silva was on routine patrol in the 1200 blk E. 10th. Off. Silva spotted two individuals near the door of the La Movida bar, one who appeared to be armed with a handgun. These two subjects attempted to enter the bar, but could not. These two suspects spotted Off. Silva and one subject produced a rifle and fired a single shot at Off. Silva, which missed. The subjects ran south from the scene and hid a handgun behind a dumpster in a near by alley. Special Crimes was called to investigate this shooting and believed that Off. Silva interrupted a robbery in progress.

On January 28, 2008 a tip was received identifying the two suspects in this shooting. Evidence from the handgun recovered was compared to these 2 individuals and it was found that one of them had handled it. A crime bulletin identifying Roman Martinez was put out to all local officers for safety purposes and at the same time it was determined that Martinez was wanted on a Felony warrant. Information was received that Martinez may be staying at the Sungate Apartments, 2727 S. Virginia and that he was still in possession of a SKS rifle.

COPPS officers were assigned to watch this area and on January 29, 2008, Martinez was spotted and ran from officers and while doing so fired a single shot from a rifle he had hidden under his coat. The apartment complex was secured and over the next several hours numerous officers searched the complex for Martinez. It was discovered that Martinez had barricaded himself in an apartment in Building #20.

When SWAT attempted to enter the apartment Martinez fired several shots at them through the door and walls. The SWAT team retreated, returning fire. Martinez did come out onto the balcony and fired shots, which struck the SWAT team armored vehicle. Cpl. Toby Hudson returned fire at this point and Martinez was last seen kneeling or falling down.

Several hours later after attempts were made to talk to Martinez and it was found that he was deceased on the balcony from a gunshot wound to his head. Martinez fired over 10 shots of 7.62 rounds at officers who were at the scene with a SKS rifle.

It was determined that Martinez was responsible for shooting at Off. Silva. Cpl. Hudson and the SWAT team members, who had fired at Martinez during this incident, were taken in front of a Potter Co. Grand Jury who felt that the officer’s actions were justifiable.