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As the investigation continued into the fatal shooting of Angel Martinez, detectives learned that earlier that day, around 1:00 a.m., Angel Martinez took part in an armed robbery at a smoke shop in the 1700 block of E. Speedway Blvd.
In that incident, two suspects, one being Angel Martinez, entered the shop armed with guns, and demanded money from the register. During the robbery, the suspects physically assaulted the store employee. One of the suspects also shot at the employee. The victim employee was not struck by the gunfire, but did sustain sharp-force trauma from the assault. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. Detectives from TPD’s Shooting Investigations Unit (SIU) responded to continue the investigation.
After processing both scenes at the smoke shop and Manuel Herrera Park, homicide detectives identified 26-year-old Alejandro Ray Gamez as Angel Martinez’s accomplice in the robbery. Detectives also believe that Gamez fatally shot Martinez hours later at the park. Additionally, TPD SIU Detectives identified Mr. Gamez as the suspect in a series of recent armed robberies throughout metro Tucson.
Detectives distributed Gamez’s information to patrol officers in hopes of locating him. On September 14, 2024, at approximately 5:00 a.m., an officer patrolling Tucson’s Westside located a passenger vehicle associated to Alejandro Gamez. The vehicle pulled into an apartment complex located at 3985 N. Stone Ave. and additional patrol officers were requested. One of the responding units, a TPD Sergeant, arrived at the north side of the complex in his patrol vehicle. Officers identified Gamez as he exited the vehicle and fired at the sergeant. The sergeant’s patrol vehicle was struck by the gunfire; shortly after, Gamez ran through a courtyard, hid near a stairwell, and turned the gun on himself. Personnel from the Tucson Fire Department arrived and pronounced Alejandro Gamez deceased at the scene. No officers or other community members were injured as a result of the shooting.
Investigators from TPD’s Homicide Unit and SIU are compiling reports and reviewing evidence to finalize their investigation. Detectives are also asking anyone that may have information regarding Alejandro Gamez to call 88-CRIME. You can remain anonymous. Below are recent photographs of Alejandro Gamez and Angel Martinez as well as a photograph from the robbery that took place on September 10, 2024. The original media release is also listed below.
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