GALVESTON, Texas – The Galveston Police Department has released dash camera video showing the fatal shooting of Randy Martin during a traffic stop earlier this year.
The shooting happened in May in the 1700 block of 55th Street. Police previously said an officer opened fire during the traffic stop, injuring a person inside the vehicle. Officers provided first aid before Martin was taken to UTMB, where he died.
The officer involved, Joshua Ninos, was placed on modified duty while the shooting was investigated. The Texas Rangers and Galveston County District Attorney’s Office were called in to investigate.
The department released the video approximately four months after the shooting. In the video, you see Ninos walk up to the vehicle which Martin was driving after pulling it over. The two can be seen talking with the car’s window down. This goes on for several minutes before Martin opens the door and steps out.
The two continue talking outside the vehicle. It is unclear what is being said because the dash cam video cannot pick up the two’s voices outside the patrol car. The conversation appears to be argumentative with both Ninos and Martin seen making hand gestures.
Shortly afterwards, Ninos can be seen putting Martin against the vehicle like he is about to arrest him. Martin appears to give some resistance, turning around and squirming as Ninos works to take him into custody.
At one point, the video shows Martin starting to turn his body and head toward the officer. Ninos appears to strike him in the face before the two get into a struggle. In the struggle, the video shows Ninos push Martin back into the vehicle. After a few more seconds, Ninos is able to get free, at which time the video shows him draw his weapon and fire. At least eight gunshots can be heard in the video.
Around the same time Ninos draws his weapon, a passenger can be seen exiting Martin’s vehicle. Following the shooting, Ninos can be heard ordering her to put her hands up, to which she responds by sitting down on the ground and putting her hands up.
Martin can be seen with one hand up in front of his face as he is shot. It is unclear where his other hand was at the time from the angle of the dash cam.
Other officers arrive within a minute after the shooting. The video shows them performing life-saving measures on Martin, including chest compressions.
Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli said he could not comment on the video or the shooting, citing the ongoing internal investigation and potential litigation.
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