Police searching for suspect, motive in killing of Richmond college student

A curbside memorial marks the spot where Edwin Martinez was fatally shot earlier this week, but who is responsible and why it happened remain unknown.

“He appears absolutely innocent,” said Capt. Mark Gagan. “Totally uninvolved in what was going on.”

At around 6:45 p.m. Monday night, the 22-year-old Richmond man was shot and killed while sitting in the passenger seat of a Toyota Corolla driven by his sister, police said. The car was parked in front of his apartment in the 2100 block of Nevin Avenue. They were set to drive to Contra Costa College, where Martinez attended classes, according to police.

But before they could drive off, another car whipped onto Nevin from 22nd Street and raced toward 21st Street as a man sprinted behind, firing shots at the back of the car.

As the gunman gave chase and turned to come back after the car sped away, he spotted Martinez and fired two rounds into his car. Martinez was killed. His sister was unhurt.

Police have not located the car that was fired out nor the shooter, and have no suspects.

“This is such a shocking example of how this violence affects everybody in our community,” Gagan said. “We all have a vested interest in seeing it end.”

Martinez is Richmond’s second homicide victim this year. Jimmy Lai, 57, was stabbed to death on Jan. 11 near the Richmond BART station.

Police ask anyone with information to call 510-620-6643.