PALM BAY, Fla. — Palm Bay police arrested a 26-year-old Lake Worth man who they said shot at officers during a traffic stop Sunday morning.
Update on officer involved shooting: suspect in custody. Suspect identified as Joseph Martin Martinez.
— Palm Bay PD (@PalmBayPD) March 7, 2021
According to police, the incident began just after 3:00 a.m. when Palm Bay police tried to make a traffic stop in the 900 block of Snapdragon Drive, near the intersection of Malabar Road and St. John’s Heritage Parkway.
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The suspect fled in his vehicle, eventually getting out and fleeing on foot. Police said officers gave chase and deployed a taser on the suspect.
“Ultimately that proved ineffective, as the suspect produced a firearm and shot at our police officers. Thankfully, our officers were uninjured,” Palm Bay police chief Nelson Moya said. “The officers were able to exchange gunfire, they returned gunfire in defense of the aggression before the suspect continued to flee into a wooded area.”
The large police presence is in response to an officer involved shooting. Our officers are fine, suspect is still outstanding. Staging area for media will be at the Post Office at Malabar and Jupiter. A press conference will be held shortly.
— Palm Bay PD (@PalmBayPD) March 7, 2021
A massive police manhunt began and the wooded area where the suspect fled was surrounded and searched.
“The area where the subject fled is known for its vegetation and the density,” Moya said.
Police eventually tracked and arrested 26-year-old Joseph Martin Martinez from Lake Worth on Sunday afternoon. Charges are pending.
Update on officer involved shooting- suspect is in custody! Suspect identified as Joseph Martin Martinez, 26 years old, from Lake Worth, Fl.
Posted by Palm Bay Police Department on Sunday, March 7, 2021
Chief Moya said Martinez is a convicted felon on probation, and is considered a career offender of special attention out of Palm Beach County.
The chief said he has not placed the officers involved in the shooting on administrative leave yet, but added that he is glad they are okay.
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“So to find out that they were unharmed, that they get to go home to their loved ones brings me great comfort,” Moya said. “And now it’s time for justice.”
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