PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities have arrested a man accused of shooting and injuring two people outside of a nightclub and pistol-whipping a transgender woman in June of last year.
The suspect, 22-year-old Joel Martinez, was on probation for a manslaughter conviction in New Jersey at the time of the incident.
Three people were leaving an after-hours club near North Third and Westmoreland streets when they encountered another group of people. Among them was Martinez, who “uttered a derogatory word” to one of the victims, according to police.
Authorities say that led to an argument, and that’s when Martinez pulled out a gun. He allegedly fired at least six shots, striking two people, one in the arm and one in the back of the head — and he struck the third victim with the gun itself.
Martinez was arrested in Camden, N.J., and extradited to Philadelphia, where he is facing charges for attempted murder, aggravated assault and other related offenses.
Authorities commended witnesses and the victims themselves for helping in the investigation.
The victim who Martinez is accused of pistol whipping is a Black transgender woman, authorities say. Kendall Stephens, of the district attorney’s LGBTQ Advisory Commitee, urges anyone from the community to report violent crimes to the police.
“If you are a victim of a crime, and may feel fearful or uncertain if we should come forward — you must come forward,” she said. “We need to know who you are. This is how you become visible. This is how you speak truth to power.”
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