In the summer of 2020, the promising life of 19-year-old Tony Dawayne Martin was tragically cut short. A talented male athlete from Saginaw, Michigan, Martin was a celebrated track and field star at Michigan State University, having already made a name for himself by breaking a 45-year-old long jump record at Saginaw High School. His future seemed bright, but on the warm night of July 19th, it all came to a violent end in the parking lot of a Sunoco gas station in his hometown.
In the early morning hours, a gathering was taking place in the gas station parking lot when gunfire erupted. When the chaos subsided, Tony Martin and his 22-year-old friend, Ricky H. Morgan, were both found with fatal gunshot wounds. A 25-year-old woman was also injured in the shooting but survived. The Saginaw Police Department and Michigan State Police quickly launched a double homicide investigation to piece together the events that led to the senseless loss of two young lives.
The investigation soon pointed to a suspect: Roderick Dewayne Barnes Jr. It was discovered that Barnes had been involved in a heated argument with Ricky Morgan earlier that same month. This previous conflict is believed to have been the catalyst for the deadly encounter. While Tony Martin was not the initial target, he was standing with Morgan when Barnes opened fire, becoming an innocent victim in the escalating feud. Barnes was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the double homicide.
Roderick Dawayne Barnes Jr. stood trial for the murders of Tony Martin and Ricky Morgan. In November 2021, a jury found him guilty of two counts of second-degree murder. The legal proceedings brought a measure of closure to the families and the community that had been shaken by the sudden and violent deaths. Barnes was sentenced to a term of 45 to 70 years in prison for each of the second-degree murder convictions, ensuring that he would be held accountable for his actions on that tragic July night.
