In the Fordham section of the Bronx, on the evening of March 13, 2015, a young man’s life was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire. Jonathan Martinez, an 18-year-old male, was pronounced dead at a local hospital after being shot in the chest around 8:30 p.m. The violence that claimed his life was not a random act but rather rooted in a bitter and ongoing feud between rival street gangs.
The narrative of that fatal Friday night unfolded as a chase through the neighborhood streets. Martinez was pursued down Valentine Avenue near East 194th Street by his assailants. The attack was allegedly carried out by members of the Crips gang in retaliation for a prior incident involving the Bloods, with whom Martinez was reportedly associated. During the pursuit, a 16-year-old member of the Crips, Devonte 'Truck' Hernandez, opened fire with a silver revolver, striking Martinez multiple times. An officer on foot patrol witnessed the shooting and immediately gave chase.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement moved swiftly, and three individuals were taken into custody the following day. The alleged shooter, Devonte Hernandez, was arrested along with 24-year-old Harry 'Golden' Mingo and 33-year-old Sirena Morgan. Hernandez reportedly confessed to the crime, stating that he and another individual, identified only as 'Tot,' were given guns by Mingo to shoot a member of the Bloods in retaliation for a 'pistol whipping' that had occurred earlier in the week.
The investigation revealed that after the shooting, Mingo allegedly instructed Hernandez to hide the weapon. The silver revolver used in the murder, along with a black semi-automatic pistol, was later found in Sirena Morgan's purse, leading to her arrest for criminal possession of a weapon. All three suspects—Hernandez, Mingo, and Morgan—faced serious charges, including second-degree murder for the two men. They were arraigned and held without bail as the legal process against them began, marking the start of a quest for justice for Jonathan Martinez and his grieving family.
