Washington Teen Fatally Shot by Alleged Rival Gang Leader

Bail has been set at $5 million for Uriel Hernandez-Martinez, a suspected gang leader believed to be connected to the fatal shooting of a Washington teen at an Everett bus stop last week, according to HeraldNet.

Hernandez-Martinez, 20, was apprehended on Sunday and is under investigation for first-degree murder in connection with the shooting that occurred on Friday morning.

According to a police report, the 15-year-old victim and Hernandez-Martinez were members of rival street gangs.

As of Monday, the identity of the 15-year-old victim had not been publicly disclosed.

Hernandez-Martinez, known by the nickname "Big Homie," is believed to be the leader of his gang, according to officer John Anderson's police report.

Investigators suspect he may have sought retaliation against the teenager following a drive-by shooting in March, where the teenager's gang members were responsible for injuring Hernandez-Martinez.

In the months leading up to the fatal shooting, Hernandez-Martinez's gang reportedly threatened the teenager through social media channels.

Just two days before his tragic death, the teenager had reported to the police that he had been targeted by members of Hernandez-Martinez's gang in the 1000 block of 112th Street SW.

Police arrested three gang members who had openly discussed their intentions to harm the teenager, as documented in the police report.

Alleged Gang Leader Denies Fatal Shooting

Uriel Hernandez-Martinez was apprehended inside a store on Highway 99 in Everett on September 10, just two days after the fatal shooting, FOX13 reports.

Court documents indicate that during the investigation, Hernandez-Martinez allegedly admitted to others that he and another gang member were involved in shooting the victim.

However, when interviewed by investigators, Hernandez-Martinez claimed that he was in the stolen black car used in the incident but was not present with his gang members at the time of the shooting.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Adam Sturdivant argued during a probable cause court hearing that even if it could not be definitively established that Hernandez-Martinez pulled the trigger, he could still be considered an accomplice due to his involvement.

Sturdivant pointed out that Hernandez-Martinez was found with a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest and that he had provided the vehicle that brought his gang members to the scene.

Court documents further detail Hernandez-Martinez's account, stating that he explained the stolen vehicle was intended for his gang members to carry out the shooting, but their arrest on September 7 prevented them from doing so.

As a result, Hernandez-Martinez felt obligated to carry out the mission.

During the probable cause hearing, Hernandez-Martinez's defense attorney, Samantha Sommerman, argued that there was insufficient information from police, witnesses, or evidence to establish her client as the shooter.

She contended that the statement was too vague and lacked specific details regarding investigative techniques and the involvement of others.

Hernandez-Martinez currently faces charges of first-degree murder, altering identifying marks on a gun, and carrying a gun without a permit.

Washington Teen's Fatal Shooting

The tragic incident occurred on Friday when the Washington teen was waiting at a bus stop in front of a mobile home park on Hardeson Road, a little after 6:30 AM, as per probable cause documents, per Seattle Times.

The teenager was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett following the shooting but, tragically, did not survive his injuries.

Surveillance footage from a nearby business recorded a driver in a Kia Soul repeatedly driving along the road, seemingly slowing down near the bus stop when the teenager was present, according to the documents.

At one point, the vehicle entered the mobile home park and exited. Subsequently, the video captured someone discharging a firearm at the Washington teen, resulting in the fatal outcome.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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