Austin Wayne Martell, 21, was found late on December 19, 2022, outside a residence in Independence, Missouri, after reports of a shooting. Officers arrived to find him critically injured; despite emergency medical care he died from his wounds. Authorities opened a homicide investigation, secured the scene, and began interviewing witnesses while working to determine a motive.

Friends and family remembered Martell for his humor, protective nature, and outgoing personality; online tributes described him as a go-getter who loved those close to him. At the time of the initial reports, no suspects had been publicly identified or arrested and the investigation remained active.

If anyone in Independence has information about the shooting or saw activity in the area that night, please share what you know with investigators.