Location: Pine and F streets, Exeter

Incident Date: 04-23-16

Incident Time: 2150 hours

Case Number: 16-40053

Victim: female juvenile

City: Exeter

Posted by: Media Relations

******************UPDATE*****************

Suspect Brendon Lee Martin, 18, of Exeter was arraigned on attempted murder June 6, 2016 for the drive-by shooting on April 23, 2016 in Exeter during which a teenage girl was injured by gunfire.  

His bail is set at $2 million.

He was already in custody on burglary charges (cases: 16-05901, 16-05340, and 16-02430). 

******************UPDATE*****************

Suspect Brendon Lee Martin, 18, was released from custody two days after he was arrested on May 15, 2016 and was not charged at that time for attempted murder for the drive-by shooting on April 23, 2016. 

*****************UPDATE*****************

At 0915 hours on May 16, 2016, Interagency Gang Enforcement Team (IGET) and Sheriff's Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) detectives arrested a 17-year-old female from Visalia, in regards to this investigation. She was transported and booked at the Juvenile Justice Center on Attempted Murder, Conspiracy and Gang Enhancement charges.

She was contacted in the area of Houston Avenue and McAuliff Street in Visalia. 

******************UPDATE****************

Suspect arrested: Brendon Lee Martin  18 yrs  IN CUSTODY         

                          Exeter, Ca.

Background:

On 4/23/16 at approximately 2152 hours, Exeter Police were dispatched to the area of Pine and F streets for shots heard and a possible gunshot wound victim.

An Exeter officer was one block away and was first to arrive on the scene. He rendered aid to the14-year-old female victim until medical personnel arrived at the scene. She was transported to a local hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Witnesses told investigators the victim was walking to a store with two others when the suspect vehicle slowed near them and shouted gang slurs. The two other victims ran away but the female victim dropped to the ground as the vehicle sped away.

The Interagency Gang Enforcement Team took over the investigation.

The ensuing investigation developed leads and evidence in which Brenden Lee Martin 18, a Northern Gang member from Exeter, was identified as the person who fired the weapon in which the victim was shot. The investigators worked tirelessly on this investigation in attempting to locate Martin.

Investigators placed a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) bulletin on Martin out to the surrounding police agencies.

Arrest:

On 05/15/16 at approximately 1400 hours, Martin was contacted by Officers of the Visalia Police Department in the 3900 Block of West Whitendale during a disturbance. Martin was taken into custody without incident on the listed charges and turned over to Investigators of the Interagency Gang Enforcement Team.

Martin was booked at the APTF on the listed charges and is being held in lieu of bail at this time. More arrests are anticipated.

Not related to later shooting in Exeter:

This shooting incident (16-40053) on 04/23/16 has been determined not to be related to a later shooting on May 2, 2016 (16-40054). Both cases are being investigated by the Interagency Gang Enforcement Team (IGET). Separate arrests have been made in both investigations.

The Investigators of the Interagency Gang Enforcement Team (IGET) and the Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU) have been working non-stop and following up on leads in both investigations to solve these crimes and continue to make the communities of Tulare County a safe place to live and work.

Working together:

The Interagency Gang Enforcement Team (IGET) is made up of Gang Investigators from the Exeter and Famersville Police Departments and the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. The IGET is funded by the Edward Byrnes Justice Assistance Grant.

These cases are currently under investigation by the Interagency Gang Enforcement Team (IGET) and no other information is being released at this time. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Det. Alex Salinas or Sgt. Steve Kennedy at (559) 735-1898 or (800) 808-0488. Booking Photos available through the Main Jail.

Anonymous information about this incident can be reported via Tipnow

email tcso@tipnow.net

text or voicemail at 559-725-4194 or (800) END-GANG

or download the Tipnow app for Android or Apple phones.