Damian Martinez, a 19-year-old Latino man from El Monte, California, was fatally shot on March 3, 2025, at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley, San Diego. Police found Martinez dead in a hotel hallway after responding to reports of gunfire around 8:30 p.m. A 23-year-old male co-worker was also shot outside the lobby and survived with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities apprehended 29-year-old Kevin Casey Larin of Northridge, California, in a dark-colored truck in the hotel parking lot shortly after the shooting; he surrendered and was booked on charges of murder and attempted murder. Investigators say Martinez, Larin, and the surviving victim were co-workers who had traveled to San Diego for work. During arraignment Larin pleaded not guilty to counts including first-degree murder and assault with a semi-automatic firearm; his defense said they were reviewing surveillance and possible body-worn camera footage. Larin is being held without bail and the motive remains undisclosed.

Did anyone who worked with Martinez or was at the Handlery Hotel that night see or hear anything that could help explain what happened?