16-Year old Teen Identified and Charged as Adult for October Shooting at Teen Party in Burlington

Burlington, WA– A 16-year old teen was arrested on November 23rd, 2019 for a shooting that occurred at a party in the 1200 block of East Rio Vista Avenue in Burlington on October 25th, 2019.

According to a press release from the Burlington Police Department, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on October 25th, 2019, Police received reports of a large party in the 1200 block of East Rio Vista in Burlington. Shortly thereafter, Police received reports of a weapons offense including  “shots fired” in the same area as the party  and witnesses reported multiple teens running from the scene.  Officers from the Burlington Police Department and surrounding agencies responded to the area.

While on scene, Officers received reports that an 18-year old Burlington man had checked into United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley with a gunshot wound. A short time later, Officers received an additional report that a 16-year old Mount Vernon teen had checked into Skagit Valley Hospital with a gunshot wound.  The following day, another teen sought medical treatment for injuries sustained from the shooting.

Through the course of their investigation, Burlington Detectives learned that on the night of the party, a large group of mostly underage teens had gathered at a home in Burlington after the homecoming football game. Several teens at the party had posted on various  social media accounts  about the party and uploaded videos that encouraged others to attend the party and “bring alcohol.”

According to court records, 16-year old Luis Eduardo Martinez showed up at the party and attempted to get into the party on the night of the shooting, but him along with  others were reportedly denied entry. This upset Martinez and according to Court Documents,  Martinez allegedly pulled out a gun and started firing randomly into the crowd because he wasn’t allowed in before him and others ran from the scene.

Detectives identified Martinez as the alleged shooter and he was arrested by Skagit County Sheriff’s Deputies on November 23rd and turned over to Burlington Police  Detectives before being booked into the Skagit County Juvenile Detention Center where he is being held in lieu of $150,000.00 bail.

Washington State Law allows 16 and 17-year old teens to be automatically charged  as adults when criteria is met for  certain violent offenses, including first degree assault with a deadly weapon.

Martinez was charged in Skagit County Superior Court earlier this week as an adult. Martinez has pleaded not guilty to the crimes he is accused of and remains in custody.