Jared Augustine Martinez was a 22-year-old Colorado Mesa University student who was killed on the night of February 20, 2021, in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was at a house party on Teller Avenue when an altercation began after several people who were not known to the hosts were asked to leave. One of those ejected opened fire into the house, fatally wounding Martinez and injuring three others.

Martinez, originally from Bordentown, New Jersey, had also lived in Miami before settling in Grand Junction. He was studying business and hoped to run a small business, and had been active in high school wrestling, soccer, and track. Friends and the campus community held a vigil at Colorado Mesa University to remember him and his willingness to help others; witnesses said he shielded a friend during the shooting.

The Grand Junction Police Department identified and arrested a suspect in connection with the shooting. Ballistic evidence and cellphone location data were reported as part of the investigation. If anyone who knew Jared or who was at that party has information that hasn’t been shared with investigators, please come forward.