Stockton Homicide Victim Identified, Details Remain Sparse as Authorities Pursue Leads
STOCKTON – In south Stockton on early Sunday morning, following a report to Stockton PD at 2:38 AM, an unidentified man was pronounced dead by medical personnel who’d been dispatched to an area near South Sutter and East 1st Streets. At the time, the only information released was that he was 47 years old.
Corner of South Sutter & East 1st Streets, Stockton
As of Monday morning, he finally had a name – Primitivo Martinez.
He was identified by the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office after paramedics were unable to revive him at the scene of his shooting.
On Sunday evening, family members assembled a small memorial – a white cross, votive candles, and a prayer card – to the fallen Martinez. Painted on the cross were the words “Primo Martinez Forever” along with the dates “6-10-65” and “6-9-13.”
Monday would have been his 48th birthday.
On the back, a personal message had been left: “You were taken too soon. I’ll meet you on the other side. I love you,” and was signed “Patty Martinez.”
While family members themselves could not be reached for comment, neighbors mentioned they’d learned from them at the memorial that Martinez may have lived only a few blocks away and had been on his way to California Street for a burrito.
One neighbor, who declined to be identified for safety reasons, said she’d heard a single shot fired. According to her, another neighbor told her she’d heard it as well.
As for motive, the case remains a mystery. Police department spokesman Officer Joe Silva stated Monday afternoon that they are still hoping someone will come forward with information.
The death of Primitivo Martinez marks Stockton’s 11th recorded homicide so far this year. By the same time last year, authorities in San Joaquin County were already investigating 39 homicides.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Police Department at (209) 937-8377, Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600, or submit a tip on the SPD Facebook Page. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards up to $10,000.
Read more:
Recordnet: Homicide victim ID’d; police looking for leads
Recordnet initial break: Few details surround Stockton’s 11th homicide
