Torres: Justice is in the Public’s Hands
CHINO, CA – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA35) today urged the public for any information to help bring the murderer(s) of Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez to justice. The call comes as her office asked the U.S. Army for a full update on its investigation after its delayed notice of the murder for Roman-Martinez's family, who received official word only after seeing it in the news.
Originally from Chino, California, 21-year-old Spc. Roman-Martinez was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was last seen at a campsite on May 22nd. One week later, his remains were found near Cape Lookout National Seashore. Spc. Roman-Martinez's death was ruled a homicide and the Army is offering $25,000 for any information leading to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for it.
Rep. Torres released the following statement:
"Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez was a three-time volunteer for service who signed up to protect our country before he was even 18 years old – it is heartbreaking to think a life so dedicated to helping others was so tragically cut short," Rep. Torres said. "The U.S. Army has a responsibility to keep family members informed, but in this case, they waited so long that the family learned Spc. Roman-Martinez was murdered from the news. As the mother of an Air Force veteran, I am appalled that a fellow military family had to endure the shock of a loss like this from a news report without the dignity of an official notice in advance. The claim of leaving no one behind on the battlefield rings hollow when service members are murdered without justice just miles from their base.
"Someone out there knows what happened," Torres continued. "I urge the public to work with authorities to ensure justice for this hero and his family. Spc. Roman-Martinez's loved ones have my deepest sympathies as we continue to dig for answers in this case."
Maria Martinez, Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez's mother, added:
"No one has the right to take someone's life, my son's life, away," Ms. Martinez said. "That was my youngest, my baby, and I don't have him anymore, only his memories. I demand justice for him."
Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez's awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Parachutist Badge.
Anyone with information about his death should call Army CID Special Agents at (910) 396-8777 or submit a tip online here.
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