Family of Wallace man charged in shooting that led to deadly officer-involved shooting speaks out
WALLACE, NC (WWAY) — The family of the man accused of shooting another man during a downtown Wilmington altercation is speaking publicly for the first time. WWAY spoke with the family of 22-year-old Rafael Martinez at their home in Wallace about the fight and the shooting that ultimately led to a chain of events ending in a deadly officer-involved shooting.
Newly surfaced video shows the chaotic aftermath of a fight that preceded a deadly officer-involved shooting at a downtown Wilmington parking deck last weekend.
WWAY obtained exclusive footage that captures moments before the death of Edilberto Espinosa Sierra during the early Sunday morning.
In one video clip, 26-year-old David Corpus can be seen lying on the floor of the parking structure after he was shot. Several medics and an unidentified woman are seen assisting him as law enforcement officers respond to the scene. Moments later, gunfire can be heard in the background.
Corpus was shot during the initial altercation that led to officers responding to the Market Street parking deck. He was taken to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
Another video shows Sierra driving a blue Dodge Charger past law enforcement officers who appear to be ordering him to stop. The vehicle then goes out of view before additional gunfire can be heard. Police say Sierra accelerated, hit a parked car, and narrowly missed several officers. Law enforcement fired several shots.
Sierra later died from his injuries. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting.
Shortly after the incident, Wilmington police arrested Martinez. He is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury in connection with the shooting of Corpus.
Martinez’s family said the confrontation began after a dispute involving his ex-girlfriend.
A witness identified as Stella said Corpus, along with Martinez’s ex-girlfriend, confronted their group as they were leaving.
“We were just going out to the club, and next thing you know, this girl was talking to Beto’s (Edilberto) friend, and I guess there was a confrontation. They started going at it,” Stella said. “As soon as we got to the second floor, her boyfriend came to our group and started the fight.”
Stella said Corpus, seen in the video wearing a gray shirt, can be seen striking Sierra while he was on the ground. Sierra’s family says that due to his injuries, they believe he had a concussion, which they believed is the reason why he didn’t comply with the command of the officers.
Russel Martinez, Rafael Martinez’s younger brother, translated comments from their mother, Johana Martinez. The family believes Martinez fired the gun to protect Sierra, whom they described as a lifelong friend.
“I suppose that seeing his friend was on the floor, or probably worse, my son thought they had hurt him really bad,” Johana Martinez said through translation. “So probably like how they accuse him of getting a gun … it was in self-defense.”
The Martinez family also said they are concerned about the possibility of deportation after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer was placed on Martinez’s case.
“I’m going to keep believing in God, and I will always pray for him,” Johana Martinez said.
While Martinez awaits his next hearing, Sierra’s family said they also believe he was trying to help his friend during the altercation.
Genesis Espinosa Sierra, translating for her mother, said the family believes the situation could have been handled differently and is calling for justice.
“They could have shot his tires, but not killed my son,” she said.
Sierra’s family is encouraging anyone who may have video or images from the incident to come forward and share them.
