Marysville PD Searching for Additional Suspects Wanted in Connection With Murder Investigation

Marysville, WA – According to a press release from the Marysville Police Department, they have arrested two of the four suspects wanted in connection with the now murder investigation, but they are still searching for the two remaining suspects.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, the victim was walking from his vehicle located in the parking lot of the Village Inn and Suites (235 Beach Avenue, Marysville), toward the motel, when he and a female friend were approached by two males that had their faces covered. The suspects began to scuffle with the victim while the female ran off. During the fight, a shot was fired, and the victim suffered a traumatic brain injury to due a gunshot wound to the back of the head. The victim was transported to a local hospital where police learned that he was not expected to survive his injuries. The victim succumbed to his injuries and passed away on the evening of February 22, 2018.

Investigators learned that the victim had won a significant amount of money at the nearby Quil Ceda Creek Casino in the days leading up to his murder. The victim’s wallet was missing from the scene of the attack. Witnesses reported that the two suspects who had been fighting with the victim ran east toward an alley after the shot was fired. On review of the CCTV video, it was discovered that the two suspects had come from, and then later fled, in a white SUV, which was believed to be a 1995-2000 Dodge Durango.

Based on witness information and the CCTV footage, investigators developed a “person of interest” list, and later contacted the individuals. One of those individuals was a friend of the victim and was staying with the victim at the Village Inn and Suites Motel. That friend was aware that the victim had won several thousand dollars from the casino over the last couple of days. The friend was then arrested on an outstanding warrant. During an interview following the arrest, that friend admitted to helping plan the assault and robbery of the victim. The suspect then identified a second suspect, who was later contacted at his Marysville home. The second suspect also admitted to his role in the robbery. Both suspects were later booked into the Snohomish County Jail on Assault 1 and Robbery 1 charges.

Investigators later identified two additional suspects and are asking for the public’s help in location these individuals. They are both convicted felons who are considered armed and extremely dangerous. The Marysville PD strongly urges the public to not approach the suspects if they are spotted. If anyone has information about these suspects, the crime itself, or a tip on the suspects current location, they are asked to call the Marysville Investigations Unit at (360) 363-8300. The public may also call 9-1-1 if they know where the suspects are or happen to see them.

The suspects are identified as Jorge Nava Martinez, 31, and Jose Antonio Nava, 30. They were the two males seen exiting the white Dodge Durango, approaching the victim, assaulting and robbing him, and then returning to the vehicle and fleeing the area. It is understood that all four suspects were in the white Dodge Durango immediately before and immediately after the robbery. Investigators say that one of the two new suspects is responsible for firing the handgun that ultimately took the victim’s life.

The two remaining suspects may still be in the white 2000 Dodge Durango, with possible Washington plates “BHL1688”. The Marysville Police Department has stated that both suspects are confirmed gang members and have ties to the Everett, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham areas. Martinez sometimes goes by his street name “Speedy” and Nava sometimes goes by his street name “Chi Chi”.

Investigators do believe that both Martinez and Nava know that the police are looking for them as suspects in this homicide and that they may be fleeing the area or in hiding. Commander Mark Thomas of the Marysville Police Department had this to say of the suspects:

The fact that they [Martinez and Nava] know we are looking for them in connection with this homicide increases the risk factors. The public should not approach these two. If you know their location, call 9-1-1 or the (360) 363-8300 number.

Again, the Marysville PD strongly urges the public to not approach the suspects if they are spotted. If anyone has information about these suspects, the crime itself, or a tip on the suspects current location, they are asked to call the Marysville Investigations Unit at (360) 363-8300. The public may also call 9-1-1 if they know where the suspects are or happen to see them.