November 28, 2012 - Houston police are asking for the public's help in identifying suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of a man at 7055 Ashburn about 10:05 p.m. on October 13.

The victim, John S. Martinez, 45, of the above address, was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital a short time later.

According to HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officer M.J. Miller, Mr. Martinez had just returned home from visiting his brother when he pulled into his driveway and parked his truck.  As he walked to the front door of his residence, he was confronted by unknown suspects and shot during a robbery. The suspects fled the scene with the stolen property.

Martinez's family members called 911 and paramedics transported him to the hospital where he died.

“He was confronted by three armed suspects who demanded his money, he complied, and then they shot and killed him, senselessly and ruthlessly. They then fled in a waiting vehicle," said Officer Miller.  "It was senseless.  Most victims when faced at gunpoint will comply, and in this matter it sure appears he did.  There was certainly no reason to kill him."

Martinez's stolen belongings were found the next day at the intersection of ??? (see attached photos), leading Officer Miller to believe the suspects may live in that area.  What's more, he said HPD recently learned the gun used to kill Martinez was used in another homicide about three weeks later.  Officer Miller is hopeful that separate investigation will lead to clues in Martinez's case.

Meanwhile, Martinez leaves behind a large, grieving family, many of whom were present at a media briefing today (Nov. 29).

“My husband was a loving, caring man.  He lived to serve God and his family” said Martinez’s wife, Norma.  “I have a son and three daughters and they don’t have a father anymore.  He was the kind of person that loved to help anyone who asked.  He loved life and he did not deserve this.  These people have no morals.”

"My dad is my hero," said his daughter, Veronica.  "These people don’t realize what they took from us.  They took away memories that we’ll never be able to have and events we’ll never get to do.  They took a brother, a son, a husband, a father, a mentor, a Godly person, away from this life."

The Martinez family is hopeful someone will come forward with information.

"If these people can do it once to someone so important, they can do it again," said Veronica Martinez.  "We don’t need another family to be going through this horrific, agonizing pain that we’re going through.”

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Location where stolen items were recovered Update: KJS/JFC 11-29-12
JFC/VHS 10-15-12
Inc #130284512