Suspects’ Distinctive Facial Tattoos May Lead to Murder Arrest

A Los Angeles Police Department vehicle in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 6, 2020. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

NORTH HOLLYWOOD (Calif.) – Police arrested a suspect for allegedly shooting and killing a North Hollywood man in a North Hollywood camping trailer, officials said on Saturday.

Officers responding at about 2: 20 p.m. Friday to an ambulance shooting call at Vanowen Street and Camellia Avenue located a man inside a camper trailer suffering from a gunshot wound. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, he was declared dead on the spot by paramedics.

Several witnesses recognized the suspect’s name and distinctive facial tattoos. Police also found that he had left the scene in his white Toyota Camry. Shortly afterward, the Camry was found in the 7000 block at Worster Avenue. It was impounded.

Police received another radio call about a suspect in battery at a convenience shop near Whitsett Avenue/Victory Boulevard at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday. The suspect was taken into custody on suspicion of battery. Police said that his distinct facial tattoos had been “observed” and were then recognized by the LAPD North Hollywood station.

LAPD Valley Bureau homicide detectives responded to the North Hollywood station and identified Ricardo Martinez, 25, of North Hollywood as the suspect in the camper trailer shooting.

Martinez was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked at the Van Nuys Jail, where he was being held in lieu of $2,185,000 bail.

The LAPD’s Valley Bureau homicide unit urged anyone with information about the shooting to call them at 818-374-9550 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.