Matthew Tanner Martinez, also known as "Pokie," was a 27-year-old man who tragically lost his life on June 6, 2017, in Mathis, Texas. He was fatally shot during a confrontation between two groups of people outside a convenience store in the 500 block of S. Aransas Street. The incident quickly escalated, resulting in a double-homicide case when another victim, Ruben Gutierrez, 34, succumbed to his injuries two days later.
The Mathis police department confirmed that shots were fired after
the confrontation, and several shell casings were found at the scene. Matthew Martinez was pronounced dead at the crime scene, while a third victim, an 18-year-old man, was critically injured and taken to Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline.
In the aftermath of the shooting, two suspects, Marcus Cuellar, 20, and Bobby Villarreal, 18, were arrested and charged with murder. They were held on $70,000 bail each at the San Patricio County Jail. However, a third suspect, Christian Bernal, 19, remained at large and was considered armed and dangerous. The police urged residents to be vigilant and report any information regarding Bernal's whereabouts.
The tragic death of Matthew Martinez left a profound impact on his family and friends, who organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to cover his funeral expenses. The community's support was crucial in helping his loved ones during this difficult time.
The investigation into Matthew Martinez's death continued as authorities sought to bring all responsible parties to justice. The case highlighted the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of community cooperation in solving such crimes.
