Luis Damian Martinez Ortiz, a 38-year-old resident of Minneapolis, MN, tragically lost his life on August 29, 2021, following a road rage incident on Interstate 94. According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, Ortiz died from a gunshot wound to the chest. The incident occurred near the exit of Dowling Avenue North, where Ortiz, driving a blue BMW, and George Howard, a 47-year-old man driving a white Volvo, became involved in a confrontation.
Surveillance footage revealed that Ortiz
exited his vehicle and approached Howard's car during the altercation. Ortiz was then seen collapsing, while Howard drove away from the scene. Ortiz managed to get back into his vehicle and drive down the ramp before crashing. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Investigators were able to identify Howard as the suspect through the Volvo's license plate captured on surveillance video. They tracked him to a nearby gas station, where additional footage showed Howard exiting the Volvo and a passenger taking the driver's seat and driving away. The passenger informed investigators that Ortiz had allegedly punched Howard before Howard fired the fatal shot.
Howard, who was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a previous conviction, initially denied any involvement. However, when confronted with the surveillance video, he claimed that another passenger in the Volvo had shot Ortiz from the back seat. Investigators noted that Howard was unable to provide any identifying information about this alleged passenger.
Ultimately, George Howard, also known as Ricco Passmore, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the shooting death of Luis Damian Martinez Ortiz. Howard, who was 49 years old at the time of his plea, admitted to the road rage incident and the subsequent shooting.
