Jesse Martinez Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the name of the man who a DeSoto police officer fatally shot on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as 34-year-old Jesse Martinez from Dallas. According to a statement from the police, Martinez was armed and had threatened to shoot the officers before he was killed. He was wanted on multiple warrants, including one for aggravated kidnapping for ransom. His criminal record also included aggravated assault of a minor and assaulting law enforcement officers.
The incident began early Sunday morning when police received reports of a man, later identified as Martinez, walking through residents’ yards with a child and accompanied by two women. The group was seen knocking on random doors in the 1100 block of Greenbriar Drive.
When officers arrived at the scene shortly after 4 a.m., they attempted to speak with Martinez. However, he, the child he was carrying, and the two women left the area and moved towards a nearby creek behind the homes.
About 30 minutes later, the officers located the group again in the 1200 block of Springbrook Drive. They instructed Martinez to drop his weapon and put down the child, but he did not comply. The situation escalated, leading an officer armed with a rifle to fire a shot that struck Martinez. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The child was subsequently placed into the custody of family members, and no criminal charges were filed against the two women present with Martinez.
In accordance with departmental policy, the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is under review. Both the Grand Prairie Police Department and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office are conducting independent investigations into the shooting.