Memphis has experienced yet another gun-related tragedy – this time, involving a fatal incident that Memphis Police say occurred during a dangerous game of recklessness. Adrian Martinez, a 29-year-old man, is now facing charges of reckless homicide for the death of his wife’s friend, after allegedly playing with a loaded gun. The charges come following a July 6th shooting in the 4000 block of W. Gadwell Drive, as reported by Action News 5.
Responding officers discovered a woman unresponsive from a gunshot wound. Brought to Regional One Medical Centre, she was soon pronounced dead. A witness – the victim's colleague and friend – recounted the moments leading to the shooting. She reported to police that upon reaching victim's residence, she heard her husband, Martinez, shout and subsequently a loud "bang". Turning around, she witnessed her companion bleeding from the neck, a detail outlined in an affidavit according to WREG News Channel 3. Martinez, believing the gun to be unloaded while playfully aiming and cocking it at the victim, triggered the fatal shot.
Local residents expressed their frustration over the incident. "You’re old enough to not play with it," one neighbor told WREG. "You know better." Another added, "Whether you was playing or whatever the situation was, it should’ve never been a gun out involved anyway." Neighbors cited this incident as a harrowing reminder of the need for unwavering gun safety protocols.
Martinez's account to investigators, as he told them, involved picking up both his wife and the victim after work. Then, in a supposed careless act at the victim's home, he cocked his gun and pointed it at her, unaware of its lethal potential. He told the investigators that he was playing and didn’t think it was loaded. Realization dawned once after the weapon discharged, but a subsequent call to 911 was hindered by a language barrier. Martinez is set to appear in court today today, as stated by WREG. Neighbors urge the community at large: "Put these guns up."
