Robert Jay Martinez III, a 21-year-old Hispanic male, tragically lost his life on January 19, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas. The incident occurred during a concert at the Ventura bar, located along the San Antonio River Walk. Violence erupted inside the venue when a fight broke out between two customers. During the altercation, at least one person pulled out a gun and began shooting indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to five others.
Robert Jay Martinez III was one of the victims who died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The suspect in the shooting was identified as 19-year-old Kiernan Christopher Williams. Witnesses reported that Williams got into a verbal and physical confrontation with Robert Jay Martinez III before the shooting. According to an arrest affidavit, Williams intentionally shot Martinez during the argument. After shooting Martinez, Williams continued to fire his weapon into the crowded venue, hitting six other people. The second victim, 25-year-old Alejandro Robles, was shot once in the back and later died at the hospital.
Following the incident, a 16-hour manhunt ensued, leading to the arrest of Kiernan Christopher Williams. He was taken into custody without incident near the 100 block of S. Zarzamora Street. Williams was charged with two counts of capital murder and may face additional charges. During his arrest, Williams claimed he acted in self-defense, stating that Martinez had threatened to kill him after a physical altercation.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that the incident was not random, as Williams and at least one of the victims knew each other. The other victims, including a 46-year-old woman and four male victims ranging in age from 16 to 19, were treated for their injuries at local hospitals. The tragic event left the San Antonio community in shock and mourning, as they grappled with the senseless loss of life.
