Crime

Man killed after struggling with gunman who tried to rob him and wife, Fresno police said

A man killed while with his wife during an attempted robbery was identified Monday by Fresno police.

Simon Dario Martinez, 25, and his 27-year-old wife about 12:30 a.m. Sunday were leaving a party near Thorne Avenue and Geary Street when a gunman approached them and demanded their property, police said.

Martinez struggled with the gunman when a second man pulled up in a car and shot him and his wife, police said. He was struck multiple times.

Police arrived after the reports of shots fired to find both victims in the street, police said.

Martinez died at Community Regional Medical Center, police said. His wife was released with non-life threatening injuries.

Police did not release any information on possible suspects, who remain at large.

Simon Dario Martinez, 25, was killed and his wife shot on Sunday, July 16, 2023, when gunmen attempted to rob them, Fresno police said.
Simon Dario Martinez, 25, was killed and his wife shot on Sunday, July 16, 2023, when gunmen attempted to rob them, Fresno police said. FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT

The suspects fled in a light-colored sedan in an unknown direction.

Detectives were investigating the shooting and looking for video, police said.

Anyone with information on the case (Case# 2307160049) was asked by police to contact Fresno Police Department homicide Detective Chris Franks at 559-621-2427.

Anyone calling with information can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.

One person was shot and killed and another wounded at South Thorne Avenue and East Geary Street in Fresno, California on Sunday, July 16, 2023.
One person was shot and killed and another wounded at South Thorne Avenue and East Geary Street in Fresno, California on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Anthony Galaviz agalaviz@fresnobee.com

This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 12:24 PM.

Thaddeus Miller
Merced Sun-Star
Reporter Thaddeus Miller has covered cities in the central San Joaquin Valley since 2010, writing about everything from breaking news to government and police accountability. A native of Fresno, he joined The Fresno Bee in 2019 after time in Merced and Los Banos.
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