Adult Son Arrested for Brutally Killing His Mother and Setting Her on Fire

08/29/24

Adult Son Arrested for Brutally Killing His Mother and Setting Her on Fire

At approximately 2:40 PM on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Sacramento County Sheriff's Central Division Patrol Deputies responded to a residence on Alta Mesa Road in South Sacramento County for an assist call with the Fire Department. They initially responded to a woman down on her driveway, reported by someone working on her property. When Deputies arrived, it was clear the woman had been assaulted and was deceased. They learned an adult son was likely still inside the main house and began efforts to have him exit.

After several PA announcements, the adult son, later identified as 29-year-old John Martinez, refused to exit or communicate with Deputies outside. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team (SED), Hostage Negotiators (CINT), and several other resources, including K9, drone teams, armored vehicles, and the Rook, were all deployed to the scene. Negotiators continued to attempt to communicate with Martinez for several hours but were unsuccessful.

At approximately 8 PM, the Sheriff's SWAT Team entered the residence and took Martinez into custody. Sheriff's Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators then began their investigation, interviewed witnesses, and gathered evidence. Detectives learned that Martinez hit the victim, his 64-year-old mother, repeatedly with a shovel. He then ran her over with his vehicle and tried to set her on fire.

Martinez was formally arrested for murder and transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail. He was subsequently booked into custody and is ineligible for bail. Martinez is scheduled to appear in court on August 30.

Sergeant Amar Gandhi
Sheriff's Spokesman
###

John Martinez