In the late afternoon of October 26, 2016, a fatal encounter unfolded in a strip mall parking lot in south Wichita, Kansas, claiming the life of 46-year-old Hispanic male, Samuel D. Resendez. An argument between Resendez and another man escalated tragically, resulting in Resendez being shot. He was rushed to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead. Witnesses at the scene described the chilling moments when the dispute turned violent, with the suspect firing two shots before fleeing the area.
Authorities quickly identified the suspect as Faustino Juan Martinez Jr. The investigation revealed that after the shooting, Martinez fled the scene in a white 2010 Range Rover with California license plates. The vehicle was later discovered abandoned near the location of the shooting. A warrant was issued for Martinez's arrest on charges of first-degree murder, criminal possession of a firearm, and possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute. His bond was set at $2 million.
Despite law enforcement's efforts, Faustino Juan Martinez Jr. has remained at large. Investigators believe he may have fled to either Southern California or Mexico. The Wichita Police Department and Crime Stoppers have continued to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to his capture. Samuel Resendez was survived by his wife, mother, a son, and a daughter, leaving a void in the lives of his family and community.
