On April 30, 2023, at approximately 11:20 p.m., 33-year-old Martina Barraza was among four individuals fatally shot in a trailer on H Street in Mojave, California. The other victims were identified as 34-year-old Anna Marie Hester, 31-year-old Darius Travon Canada, both of Mojave, and 20-year-old Faith Leighanne Rose Asbury of California City. Barraza, Hester, and Canada were pronounced dead at the scene, while Asbury succumbed to her injuries at Antelope Valley Hospital.
In the months following the incident, the Kern County Sheriff's Office conducted an extensive investigation, identifying 34-year-old Ricardo Reyes-Partida as a suspect. Witnesses reported seeing Reyes-Partida arguing with two of the victims earlier on the day of the murders and fleeing the scene after the shootings. Ballistic evidence linked shell casings from the crime scene to a firearm used in a separate shooting earlier that day, in which Reyes-Partida was also a suspect.
In July 2024, Reyes-Partida was charged with multiple counts, including murder and attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty and is currently being held without bail, awaiting trial. Additionally, authorities have issued a warrant for 34-year-old Jonathan Hernandez, who is alleged to have provided the firearm used in the homicides. As of now, Hernandez remains at large, and law enforcement agencies are actively seeking information regarding his whereabouts.
The tragic loss of Martina Barraza, a mother of five, has deeply affected the Mojave community. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses and support her children, reflecting the community's solidarity and compassion during this difficult time.
As the legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims and the Mojave community remain hopeful for justice and closure. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in resolving such heinous crimes.
