Beef Between Pals Turned Deadly
Following an investigation, a friend of a Bushwick man shot dead near Maria Hernandez Park earlier this month was charged last Wednesday, Apr. 16, with committing the homicide, authorities reported.
Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Christopher Ortiz of Suydam Street, who is accused of the Apr. 6 murder of 29-year-old Ivan Martinez of Troutman Street.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, Ortiz allegedly pulled a gun on Martinez and fatally shot him during an apparent dispute near the suspect’s Suydam Street home in the vicinity of Knickerbocker Avenue at about 5:55 p.m. on Apr. 6.
The cause of the argument was not disclosed by police.
Law enforcement sources said Ortiz and Martinez were seen walking along Suydam Street near Maria Hernandez Park moments before the gunfire erupted.
Officers from the 83rd Precinct and EMS units rushed to the scene. Martinez, who was hit with multiple shots about his body, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Based on information obtained during its investigation, the 83rd Precinct Detective Squad tracked down Ortiz and arrested him last Wednesday following questioning at its Bushwick stationhouse.
Ortiz was arraigned the following day, Thursday, Apr. 17, in Kings County Criminal Court on charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He was ordered held without bail, according to court records.
