VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Nearly a year after an active-duty Navy servicemember was killed in Virginia Beach, leads have grown cold and police are asking for the public's help to solve the case.
The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) on Monday released surveillance photos of the people suspected of shooting and killing 24-year-old Gabriel Martinez on Dec. 3, 2022.
"Our detectives have spared no effort in their pursuit of justice for Martinez and his family, but regrettably, leads have grown cold, and the case remains unsolved. We are now turning to the community for help," the VBPD said.
Martinez was attending a Christmas party the night the incident happened and was seen leaving the Omega Bar parking lot. He was ultimately found dead in the 5800 block of Pickering Street at around 2:20 a.m., police said.
Detectives believe surveillance footage from Omega Bar shows the suspects also leaving the parking lot.
"He had a number of items that were removed from him so at this point we don’t know why that location was where he ended up," said Detective Michael Koch. "This may have been an abduction.”
Suspects in Virginia Beach shooting on December 3, 2022 that killed Navy member Gabriel Martinez.
Willmar Martinez said his brother is a San Antonio native who was stationed at Naval Station Norfolk. He said the 24-year-old is the baby of their family.
“He is the glue that held us all together," Willmar said. "When he left for the Navy it kind of hurt us.”
Investigators are now asking the community to look at photos taken from security camera video. While, grainy, they hope someone can help identify the two men pictured.
"One was wearing a yellow jacket with a hood, puffier style," Koch said. "The other was wearing a white jacket as well. Again, this was December so it was cold out.”
Koch said the men drove a red Kia Soul that police can pinpoint at the bar and the crime scene. Investigators said they don’t think Martinez knew the men, but his family hopes someone in Hampton Roads does.
"Justice overall and just peace for us," Willmar said. "I think the biggest thing is we are about to hit that year mark and there is really nothing that we have heard. Even with all the details, there is no final grievance on our end.”
Investigators said they don’t believe the suspects went into the bar and they don’t have any information that a fight may have happened in or around the bar.
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call VBPD Homicide detectives at 757-385-4101 or leave an anonymous tip through the Crime Solvers hotline either by calling 1-888-562-5887 or online at P3Tips.com.
