City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
Case: 21-0801097
Date: Sunday, March 21, 2021
Time: 5:18 p.m.
Location: 2209 E. Riverside Drive
Deceased: Christopher Ray Martinez, Hispanic male, 8/17/1980
Suspect: Hispanic male, 20 years of age
On Sunday, March 21, 2021 at approximately 5:18 a.m., Austin 911 received a report of shots fired at 2209 E. Riverside Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered 40-year-old Christopher Ray Martinez with gunshot wounds. Austin-Travis County EMS personnel provided immediate aid, but were unable to save Mr. Martinez. He was pronounced deceased on scene at 5:45 p.m.
Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel arrived to begin processing the scene. Investigators interviewed several eyewitnesses and learned the suspect fled the scene following the shooting.
The motive for this shooting appears to be anger and jealousy over a woman in whom both men had a romantic interest.
The Travis County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.
Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS, email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, utilize the Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), or the Crime Stoppers app. You may remain anonymous. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect.
You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.
This is Austin’s 15th homicide of 2021.