In the late afternoon of June 3, 2021, 19-year-old Hispanic/Latino male Martín Buenrostro López was fatally shot while driving his car in Burien, Washington, a city just south of Seattle. The teenager was only a few blocks from his home when the incident occurred. After being shot, his vehicle veered off the road and crashed through a fence into a residential yard at South 120th Street and Fifth Avenue South shortly before 2:30 p.m.
Emergency responders arrived to find the car with
multiple bullet holes. At least seven bullet holes were visible, with four in the windshield and three in the back passenger window. The driver's side window was shattered. Despite the efforts of first responders, Buenrostro López succumbed to his injuries at the scene. His death was one of a rising number of homicides in King County that year, contributing to growing concerns about gun violence in the community.
Known to his loved ones as "Nene," Martín Buenrostro López was remembered as a hardworking and caring young man. He was the eldest of three children and had recently graduated from high school. At the time of his death, he was actively studying to obtain his real estate license. Family members described him as a private but beloved individual within his community, who had many friends. His younger brother recalled his caring nature, and a cousin shared fond memories of their time together.
The King County Sheriff's Office opened a homicide investigation into the shooting. However, in the immediate aftermath of the incident, investigators had no information on any potential suspects and did not release any descriptions of a possible perpetrator or vehicle. As of late 2025, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the murder of Martín Buenrostro López. The case remains an unsolved homicide, leaving his family and community still seeking answers and justice for his untimely death.
