Location: 22800 BLOCK OF ROAD 36, TULARE
Incident Date: 09/05/2018
Incident Time: 1700
Case Number: 18-11692
Victim: Confidential
Posted by: Dispatch
Update / Suspect: Rigoberto Martinez, 41 year old resident of Tulare.
On September 5, 2018 at approximately 1700 hours Tulare County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the 22800 Block of Road 36, Tulare, in regard to a shooting. While responding to the location, Deputies were told one adult male victim had sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and was being transported to a nearby hospital by a Good Samaritan. Deputies responded to both the hospital and the crime scene. At the hospital, the victim told Deputies the suspect had shot him. It appeared they knew each other. The victim’s injury required immediate medical treatment and he was admitted into the hospital where he remained in stable condition through the night for observations. When Deputies arrived at the scene, an immediate check of the residence and surrounding area was made. Deputies discovered the suspect fled the prior to their arrival. Subsequently, Detectives were called out and assumed the investigation.
On September 6, 2018 Detectives discovered the victim and suspect had been involved in a verbal dispute prior to the shooting. During the argument, the suspect produced a firearm from his waistband and fired one single gunshot, which struck the victim. The motive for the shooting remains unknown at this time. During the investigation, Deputies were able to track down the suspect who had returned to his residence. The suspect, Rigoberto Martinez, was arrested at his home without incident. Upon further follow up Detectives recovered a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, which was said to be used during the commission of the crime. Martinez was also interviewed and admitted to the shooting. He was booked into custody at the Pre-Trial Facility in Visalia where he was charged with attempted homicide.
This case remains active and is currently under investigation by the Property Crimes Unit. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Detectives at (559) 733-6218 or anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.