On May 20, 2023, Charles “Ruso” Martinez, 28, was fatally shot during an altercation on San Antonio's West Side. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. in the 4300 block of Eldridge Avenue, where Martinez was engaged in a heated argument with his girlfriend concerning their breakup. During this confrontation, Martinez attempted to open the driver's side door of a pickup truck occupied by his girlfriend and 23-year-old Mathew Isaac Ortiz.
Believing Martinez was armed and had assaulted the woman, Ortiz, seated in the passenger seat, shot Martinez.
Following the shooting, a CPS Energy worker discovered Martinez lying in the street and alerted authorities. Ortiz initially claimed self-defense, stating he perceived Martinez as a threat. However, after a thorough investigation, Ortiz was arrested approximately a month later and charged with murder.
In June 2024, Ortiz accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to the murder of Charles Martinez. He was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison by the 290th District Court. Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales remarked on the case, emphasizing that the resolution provided accountability and ensured community safety while bringing closure to the Martinez family.
