Courtroom stock photo
Courtroom stock photo

Teen Haverstraw Homicide Suspect Arraigned on Murder and Weapons Charges

August 30, 2024

HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. — Yandie Martinez, 18, of Haverstraw, New York, has been arraigned on charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on July 1, 2024, in the Village of Haverstraw. The arraignment took place before Judge Anne B. Bianchi, according to an announcement from Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II.

The incident unfolded on the evening of July 1, when officers from the Town of Haverstraw Police Department responded to reports of gunfire near Fairmount Avenue and West Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered a vehicle that had crashed into a parked car. Inside the vehicle, they found a male victim slumped over, suffering from two gunshot wounds—one to his left arm and another to his left chest, which had perforated his lung and heart. Despite being transported to Nyack Hospital, the victim was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

A month-long investigation led to Martinez’s capture on July 27, 2024, in Piedmont, South Carolina. The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort involving the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Special Investigations Team (FASIT), the FBI-Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, and the FBI-Columbia Division.

“Today’s arraignment marks the first step in the legal process to hold Yandie Martinez fully accountable for his actions,” District Attorney Walsh said in a statement. “My office is committed to seeking justice on behalf of the victim and his family.”

Martinez faces one count of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. The legal proceedings will continue as the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office pursues the case. Further updates will be provided as the case progresses.

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