17-Year-Old Arrested for Murder After Deadly Drug Deal in San Angelo

Teen Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting

A 17-year-old from San Angelo, Texas, has been arrested on a murder charge following an alleged drug deal that resulted in the death of a dealer. According to court records filed in Tom Green County, Justin Ramirez was taken into custody on July 24 and is currently held at the Tom Green County Detention Center with a bond set at $150,000.

The arrest comes after the San Angelo Police Department (SAPD) held a press conference on July 24 regarding an ongoing homicide investigation. The victim, Joe Angel Martinez III, a 19-year-old San Angelo resident, died on July 23 after being shot and crashing his vehicle.

Details of the Incident

According to a press release from SAPD and statements made by Chief Travis Griffith during the conference, Martinez was found inside a vehicle that had crashed near Roosevelt Street and Rio Concho Drive. He had suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to Shannon Medical Center, where he later passed away.

An affidavit related to the case details how an SAPD sergeant was dispatched to the intersection of Roosevelt Street and Rio Concho Drive to investigate a report of a gunshot victim who had collided with a masonry mailbox. The sergeant reported that the individual involved in the crash had driven out of the River Pointe Apartments before hitting the mailbox. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The sergeant identified the deceased as Martinez.

Tracking the Victim’s Movements

During the investigation, the sergeant spoke with a relative of Martinez who had "life 360 software" on his phone, which allowed them to track his location leading up to the incident. The investigator reviewed the software and observed that Martinez had traveled from Johnson Street to Avenue N, then to Chadbourne, and finally to Rio Concho Drive and the River Pointe Apartments.

The investigator also spoke with a contractor for the apartment complex, who mentioned seeing a suspicious vehicle parked in the lot. The contractor confronted the individual and then left the premises.

Surveillance Footage Reveals Key Evidence

Further evidence came from video footage obtained from the apartment complex. The investigator reviewed the footage and saw three individuals approach Martinez while he was sitting in his car. One of the individuals was seen pointing a gun at him before driving away.

The investigator then spoke with a relative of Ramirez, who reported that he was with two juvenile boys whose names were redacted from the affidavit. The relative noted that Ramirez and the boys left her residence the night before, and their behavior was unusual upon returning.

Confession and Clothing Clues

The relative said she saw a large police presence at the River Point Apartments and asked Ramirez about it. He reportedly admitted to being involved in a shooting the previous evening. According to the relative, the two juvenile boys had set up a drug deal, and one of them had shot the dealer during the transaction.

The relative also mentioned that the two boys had discarded their clothing at her residence. She noted that Ramirez was wearing shorts the night of the incident, while the other two boys were wearing pants. The investigator confirmed this by reviewing the surveillance footage, which showed one boy wearing shorts and the others wearing pants.

Ongoing Investigation

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events that led to Martinez's death. The case highlights the dangers associated with drug transactions and the potential for violence in such situations. Ramirez remains in custody, and further legal proceedings are expected to follow.