Bannock County teen charged with aggravated battery in shooting
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CHUBBUCK — A Bannock County man has been arrested in connection to a shooting at a house party.
Joshua Adrian Martinez, 18, has been charged with one felony count of aggravated battery.
The incident occurred in the early morning of Aug. 9 in the 100 block of Cassie Drive, Chubbuck. According to witnesses cited in police reports, Martinez and another man both brandished firearms during a heated argument just outside the residence where a house party was taking place.
According to court documents, Martinez pulled the front of his shirt up to show his firearm in a threatening manner during the altercation. After Martinez kept making threats with the firearm, the victim drew his own weapon.
Court documents are unclear on which party shot first. Witness statements in police documents include contradictory information.
Martinez and three other males reportedly fled in a black truck that was later located by police, according to court documents. While fleeing, Martinez fired his handgun into the air multiple times, according to court documents.
Officers located the truck later and Martinez and a small group exited a nearby residence. Martinez and others were detained, according to court documents.
Court documents state that search warrants were issued for the black truck and the residence that Martinez and others had exited. Shell casing were reportedly located in the bed of the truck. During the search of the residence, documents state that officers found a tan colored Glock hidden in a laundry basket, a box of 9mm ammunition and several empty ammunition boxes.
Officers identified Martinez based on witness statements and video evidence that showed Martinez getting into the front passenger seat of the black truck, holding a handgun, according to court documents. Documents frequently reference a cast or bandage on Martinez’s hand that was used to identify Martinez between video evidence and witness statements.
Court documents state that after Martinez was detained, he was interviewed by police. During the interview, Martinez confirmed he had been at the party where the shooting allegedly occurred, according to court documents. Martinez told police that he had fled the scene when the shooting started, according to court documents, but he told police that neither he nor his friends drew any firearms at the party or even possessed firearms.
Court documents state two individuals were taken to Portneuf Medical Center after suffering wounds in the shooting.
If found guilty, Martinez faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
Though Martinez has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.