Teen brothers charged as adults in 18-year-old’s death
Two teenagers will be tried as adults for the murder of 18-year old Erik Jimenez-Munoz of Fort Pierce. Munoz was found shot and lying in the road in the 1200 block of East Joy Lane in western St Lucie County. Sheriff’s deputies quickly located and arrested two brothers, a 17-year old and a 15-year old, who lived in the area and knew the suspect. Sheriff Ken Mascara said that the two were in a car driven by Munoz when the three got into an altercation. Munoz was then shot with a shotgun. The State Attorney’s Office has now formally charged both teenagers as adults with one count each of second degree murder with a firearm and robbery with a deadly weapon.
From Sheriff Mascara:
“Sheriff Ken Mascara released the identity of the victim and arrested suspected involved in the Friday, February 22 homicide on E. Joy Lane in western Fort Pierce.
According to the Sheriff, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Friday, 9-1-1 received a call of a man lying in the road in the 1200 block of E. Joy Lane in western St. Lucie County.
“Within two minutes, our deputies were in the area and found the victim with an apparent gunshot wound,” said Sheriff Ken J. Mascara. “They attempted to render aid until EMS could arrive. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.”
According to the Sheriff, the victim has been identified as 18-year-old Erik Jimenez-Munoz from Fort Pierce.
“Through the investigation, and information provided by a witness, two juvenile males were located in the area where the incident occurred and detained for questioning. They were later arrested and charged with this shooting,” Mascara said.
According to the Sheriff, the suspects have been identified as 17-year-old Daniel Martinez and his brother, 15-year-old Joel Martinez. The brothers live in the neighborhood where the incident took place.
“While the circumstances that led to the shooting are still under investigation, we can share that the victim did know the suspects and at some point, the suspects got into the back seat of the car driven by Munoz with a shotgun, an altercation occurred and Daniel Martinez shot Munoz,” Mascara said. “Daniel was sitting in the passenger-side, rear seat.”
According to the Sheriff, Daniel and Joel Martinez were both charged with First Degree Murder and were transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice and held without bond.
“We are working with our partners at the State Attorney’s Office to have these two juveniles charged as adults for this terrible crime and are pleased to have been able to bring closure to this case with an arrest,” Mascara said.”
