Rocky Mountain News
March 13, 2002
BRIGHTON MAN SOUGHT IN TEEN'S SHOOTING DEATH - SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY SUSPECT AND VICTIM HAD `ONGOING FEUD'
Police on Tuesday searched for a man wanted in connection with the Monday shooting death of a Brighton 18-year-old.
Derek Lee Martinez, 20, of Brighton, is considered armed and dangerous, said Sgt. Paul White, Brighton Police spokesman.
Tuesday morning, police arrested Juanita Victoria Medina, 19, on suspicion of being an accessory to first-degree murder. She was a passenger in Martinez's car at the time of the shooting, White said.
Martinez is accused of killing Matthew Salazar , 18, with a gun shot in the head. The shooting occurred around noon Monday in the 100 block of East Strong Street, a commercial area, and was seen by several eyewitnesses, White said.
Police say the shooting was the result of an argument, White said, although detectives did not provide details. White said investigators had spoken to officials from Brighton Senior High School, where Salazar graduated last year, and they indicated Salazar and Martinez had an ``ongoing feud,'' White said.
``We've talked to (Martinez's) mother and other people who know him, and they all say they don't know where he is,'' White said.
Martinez was arrested Nov. 16 on misdemeanor drugs and stolen property charges, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Those cases are pending.
Derek Lee Martinez, 20, of Brighton, is considered armed and dangerous, said Sgt. Paul White, Brighton Police spokesman.
Tuesday morning, police arrested Juanita Victoria Medina, 19, on suspicion of being an accessory to first-degree murder. She was a passenger in Martinez's car at the time of the shooting, White said.
Martinez is accused of killing Matthew Salazar , 18, with a gun shot in the head. The shooting occurred around noon Monday in the 100 block of East Strong Street, a commercial area, and was seen by several eyewitnesses, White said.
Police say the shooting was the result of an argument, White said, although detectives did not provide details. White said investigators had spoken to officials from Brighton Senior High School, where Salazar graduated last year, and they indicated Salazar and Martinez had an ``ongoing feud,'' White said.
``We've talked to (Martinez's) mother and other people who know him, and they all say they don't know where he is,'' White said.
Martinez was arrested Nov. 16 on misdemeanor drugs and stolen property charges, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Those cases are pending.
Rocky Mountain News
Friday, March 15, 2002
ARREST MADE IN TEEN'S SLAYING
A man suspected of fatally shooting a Brighton teen-ager Monday was booked Thursday on a warrant for first-degree murder.
Derek Lee Martinez, 20, was arrested and taken to the Adams County Detention Facility, Brighton police said.
He was wanted in the shooting death of Matthew Salazar , 18.
Derek Lee Martinez, 20, was arrested and taken to the Adams County Detention Facility, Brighton police said.
He was wanted in the shooting death of Matthew Salazar , 18.
Obituary
Rocky Mountain News
March 15, 2002
MATTHEW PAUL SALAZAR
MATTHEW PAUL SALAZAR , 18, of Brighton died March 11. Services were March 14, with burial at Fairview Cemetery. Mr. Salazar was born in Englewood on June 2, 1983. He worked in building maintenance for the city of Brighton. Survivors include father James of Denver; mother Patsy of Brighton; brothers Damion of Brighton, Kevin of Denver; grandparents Larry of Pueblo, Moses and Soveida Vialpando of Brighton.
Rocky Mountain News
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
BRIEFING: BRIGHTON -
KILLER GETS 32 YEARS FOR SLAYING ON STREET
A Brighton man has been ordered to spend 32 years in prison for the slaying earlier this year of an 18-year-old man.
Derek Lee Martinez, 21, shot and killed Matthew Salazar on March 11 during a confrontation between the two on a Brighton street. Martinez retrieved a gun and opened fire on Salazar after the victim hopped into a car.
Witnesses told Brighton police that Martinez and Salazar had a long-standing feud. Several witnesses saw the deadly shooting.