On January 22, 2023, 18-year-old Isaiah Lorenzo Martinez was found dead from gunshot wounds in a parking lot on Pacific Court in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Officers responded to a 911 call around 1:15 p.m. and discovered Martinez, a recent graduate of South Rowan High School and a young father, had been fatally shot.

Investigators identified two juvenile suspects, ages 14 and 16, who were later taken into custody and charged with his murder on February 7, 2023. Reports say robbery was the apparent motive. Because the suspects are minors, their identities and many court details have not been made public; legal proceedings are ongoing.

The community has been deeply affected by Martinez’s death, and family and friends remember him for his dedication to his child and his future plans. If anyone has information about what happened that day, please share it with Kannapolis Police.