Suspect arrested overnight in Las Vegas for Albuquerque homicide
ALBUQUERQUE – Jose Martinez was arrested overnight for the murder on Monday of Russell Werner during an argument inside an apartment at 3802 2nd St., N.W.
APD Homicide detectives secured an arrest warrant for Martinez, 52. He was arrested by New Mexico State Police in Las Vegas, NM.
Witnesses identified Martinez, known as “Bologna,” as the man who shot and killed Werner. They said the two were arguing, and as Werner attempted to leave the apartment, Martinez hit Werner in the chest with an AR-style rifle and the gun fired one round striking Werner.
Witnesses said Martinez tried to intimidate several people and enlist their help to cover up the crime and moved Werner’s body. Martinez wrapped the body in a carpet and dragged it from the apartment, loaded it into the trunk of a vehicle.
APD officers were dispatched Monday at 11:17 p.m. to reports of a shooting at the quadruplex on 2nd Street. When they arrived, Martinez had already left the area with the body. Officers located a woman who was covered with blood.
As field officers investigated the scene and alerted homicide detectives, a security guard called 911 shortly after 1 a.m. to report a deceased body found at 2200 Midtown Pl., N.E. Officers responded to that scene and determined the deceased body, later identified as Werner, had a gunshot wound.
Homicide detectives arrived at the apartment on 2nd Street and started an investigation. After interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence, including a shell casing, detectives drafted an arrest warrant for Martinez.
Martinez is charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.
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