On the evening of November 30, 2020, in Billings, Montana, a 30-year-old Hispanic/Latino male named Manuel J. Martinez, also known to some as "Manny," was killed near the intersection of Fourth Street West and Broadwater Avenue. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. when police responded to reports of gunshots in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered Martinez lying in the road.
It was determined that he had been fatally shot and was also struck by a passing truck.
The investigation into the death of Manuel J. Martinez proved to be challenging for law enforcement. His case was noted as the only unsolved homicide in Billings for the year 2020, a year that saw a record number of homicides in the city. Investigators were faced with a lack of significant evidence at the scene, despite the public nature of the location. The victim's lifestyle, which included substance abuse and a detachment from family and friends, made it difficult for police to establish a clear motive or identify individuals he may have been in contact with prior to his death. Martinez did not have a cell phone, which further complicated efforts to trace his recent activities and communications.
In the course of their investigation, police did obtain a security video from an alleyway near the scene. The footage, however, was of poor quality, making it difficult to clearly identify the individual captured. The video showed a man, estimated to be around six feet tall, running from the area. This person of interest was described as wearing a dark-colored hoodie and pants, white shoes, a baseball cap, and was carrying a backpack. Due to the low quality of the video, authorities were unable to determine the man's race or other distinguishing features and made the decision not to release the footage to the public, fearing it could generate more inaccurate leads than helpful ones.
As of the summer of 2021, no arrests had been made in connection with the murder of Manuel J. Martinez. The case remains an active and open investigation. Police have offered a reward for any information that leads to an arrest. Family members reported to investigators that Martinez had told them his life was being threatened by an individual in Billings, and they provided this information to the authorities. Despite these challenges, the Billings Police Department has stated that they continue to actively investigate any credible leads they receive.
