Jose Medina, 39, and his wife Rachael Martinez, 31, were fatally shot on November 13, 2024 while seated in their vehicle near the San Diego County Courthouse. The couple had been there for a restraining order hearing against Christopher Farrell, 26, a man Martinez had previously accused of domestic violence, false imprisonment and sexual assault. Farrell fled on foot after the shooting and was found about 45 minutes later in Little Italy; officers say he shot and wounded one officer during a confrontation before officers returned fire and fatally wounded him.

Martinez and Medina left four children, ages 3 to 15. Family and community members have created memorials at the shooting site and organized fundraisers for the children. The case has also prompted scrutiny of protective measures for domestic violence victims: Martinez had obtained a temporary restraining order, and investigators say Farrell legally changed his name in 2022, which may have prevented police from learning he owned a firearm and from recovering it during earlier steps in the investigation.

Does anyone have information about the hearing that day, the courthouse area, or the couple’s activities leading up to the attack?