Plymouth man arrested for murder in Elkhart County

Press release

Joshua Peter Martinez

ELKHART – A Plymouth man has been arrested for the murder of an Elkhart man.

Sunday, November 3, around 4:40 a.m., Elkhart Police responded to a shooting with injuries at 754 CR 3, Elkhart. Upon arrival, officers located Romulo Reyes, 33, Elkhart, at the front of the residence with an apparent gunshot wound.

Despite officers’ best efforts to render aid, Reyes was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second victim, identified as Carlos Martinez, 38, South Bend, was found at the rear of the residence, also suffering from gunshot wounds. Martinez was immediately taken to Elkhart General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. In accordance with protocol, the Elkhart County Homicide Unit was contacted and took over the investigation.

A forensic autopsy was performed on Reyes on Monday, November 4, at the University of Western Michigan Homer Stryker School of Medicine. His cause of death was determined to be murder.

During the investigation, Joshua Peter Martinez, 24, Plymouth, was identified as a suspect in the death of Reyes and the shooting of Martinez. On Thursday, November 7, the Elkhart County Homicide Unit arrested Martinez in Wakarusa for murder and attempted murder.

On Friday, November 8, a magistrate found probable cause in Martinez’s arrest for murder and attempted murder. Formal charges are expected to be filed early next week. He will have an initial hearing in Elkhart Circuit Court on Thursday, November 14 and will be held without bond until then.

At this time, this is an ongoing investigation and no further details will be released. Those with information about this event or aware of individuals who may have additional information should contact the Elkhart County Homicide Unit at (574) 295-2825 or (574) 296-1888.