Who was Gabriel Martinez? Family of Navy sailor who was fatally shot seeks answers as police search for suspects
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA: The family of Gabriel Martinez, who was abducted and fatally shot in Virginia after a holiday bash, is still searching for answers about the suspects behind his death in 2022.
The body of Martinez who was a US Navy sailor was discovered on December 3, 2022, at 2 am by officers of the Virginia Beach Police Department on a residential street in the coastal community, reports Law and Crime.
Gabriel Martinez was also robbed on the day he was killed
According to the department's statement, officers responded to a report of gunfire in the area when they found him.
Authorities are currently renewing their efforts in the investigation and search for the suspects.
The department recently released a surveillance clip from Virginia Beach's Omega Bar area where the victim was last seen.
The clip showed the suspects leaving the bar's parking lot when Martinez left.
Officers also found that Martinez of San Antonio, Texas, seemed to have been robbed as his credit card and jewelry were missing.
Gabriel Martinez was attending a squadron Christmas party before he was killed
Speaking to CBS affiliate WTKR, the victim's brother, William Martinez said he does not believe Gabriel would get into a random stranger's vehicle.
He added that there was no reason for his sibling to be in the area where he was located.
Police found in the footage that a red Kia Soul was seen in the Omega Bar parking lot and also at the crime scene.
Authorities stated that two men were spotted driving the car and they are considered to be the primary suspects in the case.
Martinez, who was based at Naval Station Norfolk, was killed after he attended a squadron Christmas party.
He reportedly spoke to his brother by phone that evening and also sent pictures of himself in a nice attire.
Authorities do not believe that the victim got into any altercation with the two individuals spotted in the footage. His family stated that they do not believe Martinez knew the suspects.
Investigators do not consider the possibility that the suspects were inside the bar when Martinez was inside.
Michael Koch, a Virginia Beach Police Department Detective said that they are attempting to bring closure to the victim's family and have tracked down every lead possible in the case.
"But now we’re taking the opportunity to turn to the community because we know somebody out there knows who this is," said Koch.
