Martin Marty Martinez was 14 when he was killed in Denver on July 21, 1976. He had spent the evening at Elitch Gardens and, while walking home around 11:30 p.m., stopped at a former neighbor’s house in the 3500 block of Clay Street. Several gunshots were fired at people on the porch; Martinez was struck by one of the bullets and died.

Investigators believe he was not the intended target. A group of people who had reportedly been kicked out of the party earlier allegedly ran by and fired shots at the porch. Witnesses were uncooperative at the time, and despite an investigation by the Denver Police Department the case went cold. No arrests have ever been made.

The homicide remains unsolved and the Denver Police Department’s Cold Case Unit continues to seek information. If anyone has recollections of that night, remembers who was at the party, or has other information, please contact the Cold Case Unit.