17-year-old Elijah Martinez charged with west Lubbock murder

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Lubbock police have arrested a 17-year-old in connection to a west Lubbock murder.

On April 21, police were called to the 7700 block of 19th St. just before 9 p.m. for reports of gunfire in the area. When officers arrived, they found 51-year-old Ricardo Mojica with a gunshot wound in his lower abdomen. EMS took Mojica to UMC for treatment; he died the following morning from his wounds.

The Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit took over the case. With help from the Texas Anti-Gang Center, investigators determined Mojica was involved in an altercation with 17-year-old Elijah Martinez, which ended with Mojica being shot.

A murder warrant was issued for Martinez on Tuesday. He was taken into custody just after 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday in the 4700 block of Lehigh St. During the arrest, Centennial Elementary School “activated a secure protocol” as a precaution. However, authorities stated there was no threat to the school.

Martinez is being held in the Lubbock County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.

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