The first murder of 2010 occurred last night at the MCC Grounds during a high school football game. Sadie Vernon and Ladyville Technical High Schools were battling it out on the football pitch when a brawl started in the stands. 27 year old Salvador Martinez was caught in the middle. Here is what happened.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The murder occurred at 6 pm last night on top of this concrete structure on the MCC grounds during the football game between Ladyville Tech and Sadie Vernon High Schools.
Dion Sutherland, President – Secondary School Sports Assn.
“We saw the fight on top of the building and we thought it was just a normal fight, scuffle and thing, but not until the guy was brought out here on a bicycle and fell at the gate that we realized it was more than just a fight.”
That guy was this man – 27 year old Salvador Jose Martinez. He was at
the high school football game with a two friends when the fight erupted.
Sasha Correa, Sister of Deceased
“He was at MCC Grounds with his friends at a game. A fight broke out and he got between them to try and break it up and he got stabbed in the process of protecting a friend.”
Xiomara Martinez, Sister of Deceased
“He jumped into the fight, well I can’t really say what happened, but he jumped in from what I heard to talk to the guy and the next thing I heard is that he got stabbed up.”
In response to his murder during a high school sport event, new security measures have been implemented at the MCC Grounds. This evening there was an increased presence of police officers and all high school students entering the MCC are
now searched.
Dion Sutherland,
“We try our best. We ask schools to come out; bring teachers, bring administration so that would limit any cause. Our next area is just to rely on the security of the police. At this high school level, it is very difficult to actually pay police. We have done it over the years. If we must, we will. It will deprive us of other things like medals and trophies at the end of the season but if we have to forego that for the safety then we will have to look at that.”
Keith Swift,
“But are there any new security measures in effect, I see police officers searching bags?”
Dion Sutherland,
“The police have instituted their own security measures. They made a commitment to principals to have police out here for every game. As I said that fell through the cracks some time ago. Now we think they realize the severity of these things and if you notice today we have heavy presence, searching and all that so we just hope that will not only be for today but that it will continue through the rest of the season.”
But all the new measures are a day late for Salvador Martinez.
Keith Swift,
“How will you remember Salvador?”
Sasha Correa,
“As a fun loving person, always cared for his friends, and outspoken, always make you know what is on his mind and always take care of friends.”
Police have recovered a knife which was the murder weapon.
Martinez’s family claims that he was also robbed. His sisters say he had just cashed a disability check from the Social Security Board but the money wasn’t found on him. They even believe that he wasn’t taken directly to the hospital. They say he was robbed and then taken to the KHMH. Salvador Martinez was stabbed in his underarm, chest, stomach, leg, and crotch. According to the post mortem, the stab wound to the leg was the cause of death. Police have four suspects detained including one minor who is a high school student. The man who Salvador Martinez attempted to save was a high school student who plays for Ladyville Technical High School.
