EVERETT — Bail was set at $5 million for an alleged gang leader suspected of being involved in the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy at an Everett bus stop last week.
Uriel Hernandez-Martinez, 20, was arrested Sunday for investigation of first-degree murder in connection to the Friday morning shooting. The Everett man and the deceased teen were members of rival street gangs, officer John Anderson wrote in a police report.
The deceased hadn’t been publicly identified, as of Monday.
Hernandez-Martinez, nicknamed the “Big Homie,” is believed to be the leader of his group, Anderson wrote. Police believe he may have been seeking retaliation against the teenager after members of the boy’s gang injured the suspect in a drive-by shooting in March.
Months before Friday’s fatal shooting, Hernandez-Martinez’s gang had reportedly been sending threats to the teenager over social media.
Two days before his killing, the teenager reported to police he had been shot at by members of Hernandez-Martinez’s gang in the 1000 block of 112th Street SW and that he had previously been their target, Anderson wrote.
Police arrested three members of the gang, who expressed their plans to shoot the teen, according to the police report.
Around 6:30 a.m. Friday, the teen stood at a bus stop in the 7700 block of Hardeson Road, according to the police report. Security footage showed a black Kia Soul, later identified as a stolen vehicle, driving on Hardeson Road past the bus stop about three times in four minutes.
The teenager took notice of the car, according to police.
The Kia slowed by the bus stop and the passenger rear window was “broken out,” surveillance footage reportedly captured. The teenager is then shot and falls to the ground.
The boy was reportedly taken to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett with multiple gunshot wounds. He died there.
Investigators found 18 9 mm bullet casings at the bus stop.
Two days later, police arrested Hernandez-Martinez in the 12600 block of Highway 99. The suspect was carrying an unregistered concealed pistol, according to the police report.
In a police interview, Hernandez-Martinez acknowledged he was in the vehicle the morning of the shooting and admitted knowing their plans to shoot the boy, Anderson wrote. The suspect reportedly told investigators he filled up the stolen car with gas, but went home before the shooting.
Hernandez-Martinez showed investigators text messages with fellow gang members discussing the shooting.
“Through investigative techniques, I know that Hernandez-Martinez told others that he and the other… gang member were responsible for the victim’s death,” Anderson wrote in the report.
On Monday, Hernandez-Martinez appeared before Everett District Court Commissioner Jennifer Millett.
Defense attorney Samantha Sommerman asked Millett not to find probable cause, arguing Anderson’s statement is “far too vague” to find probable cause.
“The investigative techniques are not detailed and the ‘others’ that are referred to in this statement are not discussed further,” Sommerman said. “That’s not sufficient for probable cause.”
Prosecutor Adam Sturdivant argued Hernandez-Martinez was still responsible for the boy’s death, even if he did not “pull the trigger.”
Sturdivant requested Millett set bail at $5 million. She agreed.
Hernandez-Martinez remained in the Snohomish County Jail on Monday.
Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.
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