In the early hours of a cold December morning in Tacoma, Washington, the life of Jeremy Martin, a 38-year-old Black/African American man, was tragically cut short. On December 5, 2017, just after 1:30 a.m., Martin had just returned to his residence in the 1400 block of South 37th Street. As he stood on his porch, an unidentified assailant approached and shot him multiple times before fleeing into the night.
Neighbors, startled by the sound of gunfire, peered out to see a figure in a
large, puffy coat hastily leaving the scene and getting into a waiting vehicle. Emergency services were called, and Martin was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries hours later. His death, which would have been just days before his 39th birthday on Christmas Day, was ruled a homicide.
The Tacoma Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the murder of Jeremy Martin. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood, speaking with potential witnesses and searching for any clues that might lead them to the person or persons responsible. They appealed to the public for assistance, asking for any information about suspicious individuals or vehicles that may have been in the area around the time of the shooting.
In the years that have followed, the case has remained unsolved. No arrests have been made, and a suspect has not been publicly identified. Authorities have not released a motive for the killing. Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County offered a reward for information that could lead to an arrest and conviction, but justice for Jeremy Martin and his family remains elusive. The investigation is ongoing, a cold case waiting for a break that will bring closure to a community still mourning a senseless act of violence.
