By KRWG News
Las Cruces – The Dona Ana Sheriff's Department has made an arrest in the February 20th brutal bludgeoning of Onate High School football player Jerry Zamarripa.
Andrew Martinez, DOB 6/20/86 of 809 Alamendra Street in Las Cruces is in custody at this moment and being interviewed by Investigators. He is being charged with the following crimes:
2 counts of Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm
1 count of Tampering with Evidence
On February 20th, 2011 a party was held in the 8700 block of Tammy Ln. Martinez was an attendee at the party. Around 3 am, there were several physical altercations that had broken out on the property including one where Sena was stabbed in the side. Martinez was part of a small group that were asked to leave. Zamarripa was helping escort Martinez and the others from the party to their vehicle when Martinez retrieved a golf club from his vehicle which was parked in the street.
Martinez allegedly first struck Zamarripa in the torso, causing him to go down to the ground at which point Martinez struck him a second time in the head. Martinez then got into his vehicle and fled the area. During his escape, he disposed of the golf club somewhere along Highway 70.
Investigators have been working this case virtually around the clock since it was reported, interviewing over 3 dozen people and serving multiple search warrants. Martinez was actually one of several persons voluntarily interviewed by Sheriff's Investigators Wednesday. Investigators had several conflicting statements from witnesses as to who the actual suspect was and had to re-interview many of the witnesses. Today they were able to develop enough probable cause to focus on Martinez as the suspect, and obtained a warrant for his arrest late this afternoon. Investigators went to his home around 7 pm and took him into custody without incident.
He is currently being held at the Sheriff's Department, being questioned by Investigators, after which he will be transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center under a $100,000 cash only bond.
The investigation is still ongoing. Additional or amended charges are pending. A recent mugshot is attached.