Jose Jesus Martinez, a 42-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed on March 27, 2020, near the 1100 block of W. 164th Street in Gardena, California. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner recorded the death as a gunshot fatality. Witnesses reported an altercation shortly before the shooting, people hearing gunshots, and a vehicle speeding away from the scene.

The Gardena Police Department opened an investigation that initially made little progress; no immediate arrests or suspects were announced. Investigators later identified potential suspects, interviewed several people who were at the scene, and collected forensic evidence that linked a firearm to one of those suspects. Charges of first-degree murder and illegal firearm possession were brought against at least one person, and the case proceeded to trial where witness testimony and forensic findings were central to the prosecution.

Martinez was known in the community, and his family and friends attended court proceedings. If anyone witnessed the March 27, 2020 shooting or has information that has not yet been shared with Gardena Police, please come forward.