Julian Angelo Martinez, a 17-year-old male from Stockton, California, was fatally shot on the night of February 1, 2025, at Anderson Park, located in the 6300 block of North El Dorado Street. Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 10 p.m. and discovered Martinez suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner's Office identified him the following day.
Martinez was a former player in the Sundown Little League, a local youth baseball and softball organization, and his father, Manny Martinez, had served as a coach for the league. His family and community expressed deep sorrow over his death, with many describing him as a caring and family-oriented individual. His older sister, Alexis Montaño, and another sibling, Alicia Suarez, spoke publicly about their grief, emphasizing that he had his whole life ahead of him and did not deserve such a tragic fate.
The investigation into Martinez's death was taken over by homicide detectives, and authorities initially withheld details regarding possible motives or suspect descriptions. However, nearly three weeks after the shooting, Stockton police arrested two teenage suspects—a 16-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy—in connection with the homicide. Both suspects were taken into custody in north Stockton and placed in San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall. Reports indicate that Martinez was at Anderson Park with another teenager when the shooting occurred, and one of the suspects fled the scene on Martinez’s dirt bike.
The Stockton Police Department urged anyone with information about the case to come forward, offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for tips leading to an arrest. The case remains under investigation, with authorities continuing to seek justice for Martinez and his grieving family.
