Lebanon Daily News | By Brad Rhen
PLEASANT HILL - More than two dozen friends and family members gathered on Walnut Street in North Cornwall Township Tuesday night to pray for shooting victim Jose Martinez.
"It's to throw some prayers out for my brother, to wish him good luck," said Angel Martinez, Jose Martinez's older brother. "We're all thinking of him. We can't wait 'til he gets better."
Martinez, 24, was shot in the neck about 3:30 a.m. Sunday at Brookside Apartments, near North 12th and Mifflin streets in Lebanon.
Police said they learned of the shooting when Martinez was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital by acquaintances. He was later transferred to the Hershey Medical Center.
Lebanon Daily News | By Brad Rhen
Martinez has gone through two major surgeries, and he remained in
Lori Washington, the mother of shooting victim Jose Martinez, speaks to those gathered at a prayer vigil for her son Tuesday night. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS JEREMY LONG)
critical condition Tuesday night, his family said. A medical center spokeswoman said Wednesday morning that no further information could be released as per a directive from police.
Family members were able to see Martinez for the first time on Tuesday.
"His eyes are open, but it's really minimum," said Angel Martinez. "It was a little emotional, but we were just happy to see him, talk to him, hold his hand."
Lori Washington, Martinez's mother, said doctors have not told the family much.
"He's not out of the woods," she said. "He's still struggling. He's still fighting for his life, and our main focus is to get him better."
The next step is in Martinez's hands, his mother said.
"If he's strong and he fights, he'll get through this," she said. "If he wants to give up, he's not going to get through this."
Destiny Gonzalez, Martinez's fiancée, said it was difficult to describe what she was going through.
"It's the worst you can imagine," she said. "It's horrible to know that he's in there fighting for his life, and nobody is willing to give any clues or any tips. I pray every day that he gets up. He's still fighting and they're not sure if he's gonna pull through or walk. He can't see his son. It's a
More than two dozen family members and friends gather around a campfire Tuesday night for a prayer vigil for shooting victim Jose Martinez. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS JEREMY LONG)
stressful, stressful time."
Washington noted that Martinez has a 17-month-old son, and while Martinez might not have been a perfect son, he was good son.
"He's trying to do the right thing," she said. "He's not a bad person, he's truly not a bad person. Nobody's perfect, but he's a good son. I just want him to get better and come home."
The family is imploring that anyone who has any information about the shooting to come forward.
"I just wish the person who did this would come forward, and if somebody knows something, I just wish they would come and say, 'This is what I know,'" Washington said. "They can remain anonymous. They don't have to say their name. Just come forward and let us know what you know."
Anyone with information about the shooting can call city police at 717-272-6611 or CrimeStoppers 717-270-9800. Calls can be made anonymously.
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