A man arrested for the fatal stabbing of Brawley Union High School student Martin Alberto Garza will be arraigned this afternoon or Thursday morning, according to authorities.
El Centro police detectives, with the help of other local law enforcement agencies, arrested 19-year-old Martin Gabriel Andrade, an El Centro gang member, without incident late Monday night after serving a searching warrant at his home on East Third Street in Heber, according to a statement from the El Centro Police Department.
Investigators also recovered undisclosed items of evidence likely related to the case, according to police.
Martin Garza’s death in El Centro late Saturday night or early Sunday morning shocked the tight-knit Brawley community and Imperial Valley at large. Hundreds filled the bleachers at Warne Field in Brawley on Monday for a candlelight vigil in honor of the 17-year-old BUHS varsity football player.
The events leading up to Martin Garza’s death are not yet clear. He was in El Centro on Saturday night. “We understand there was a party,” El Centro police Cmdr. Jeff Mason said. “There was an altercation.”
No other information is being released at this time.
El Centro police responded to reports of a stabbing near Seventh Street and Commercial Avenue in El Centro around 2 a.m. Sunday. Martin’s body was found in an alley near Commercial Avenue with several stab wounds. He was transported to an area hospital, but did not survive his injuries.
Officials were asked if Martin’s death may be the result of a rivalry between residents of El Centro and Brawley, as some have speculated.
“It’s not anything we’ve been made aware of,” Mason said. “Gang affiliation rests solely with the suspect.”
This is not Andrade’s first run-in with the law, and officials believe he acted alone.
“He’s had a significant number of arrests for a variety of crimes from property crimes to crimes of violence,” Mason said. “We’re very confident this is a sole suspect.”
If you go
What — Brawley is hosting Imperial High in a wrestling duel
When — 6 p.m. today followed with the varsity duel
Cost — Admission is $4 but if attendees pay $6 it will include admission to the duel and a barbecue plate at Saturday’s fundraiser. All proceeds will go to the Garza family.
What — Barbecue fundraiser
When — Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where — Hidalgo Hall, 410 S. Cesar Chavez Blvd., Brawley
Cost — Plates are $6 with all proceeds going to the Garza family.
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