Arrest made after Airport Road shooting

WASHINGTON — Washington County officials said Thursday afternoon they’d made an arrest related to a shooting on Airport Road May 29.

In a news release, the county said Mitchell Ryan Martinez (19) of Washington was arrested on June 4, for outstanding warrants related to a probation violation and an original charge of second degree theft. After an interview at the jail, the county said it added “Dominion or Control of a Firearm by a Felon, Attempted Murder, Going Armed With Intent, and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon,” to the 19-year-old’s list of charges, setting bond at $100,000, cash only.

Court records for the case said Martinez arrived at a camper on Airport Road early in the morning on May 29, “to retrieve a dog that had been taken,” over which he and the camper’s occupants — Benjamin Scott and Krystal Stutzman-Wallace — had an “ongoing dispute.”

In an affidavit, Washington County Investigator Jayse Horning said Martinez claimed to have fired in self-defense after Scott stepped out of the camper and made a threat, but said his story was “not consistent with the evidence,” since the bullet left a hole in the camper’s door before hitting Scott’s abdomen, causing “life-threatening injuries.”

According to the affidavit, 911 operators could hear the moment a gun was fired over the phone. Previously disclosed police records said the camper’s occupants had called from inside the vehicle about someone trying to break the windows.

“At no point during the 911 call did Benjamin Scott or Krystal Stutzman Wallace exit the camper like Martinez was stating,” the affidavit said. “During the 911 call when the gunshot was fired, Benjamin Scott was located inside the camper with the door closed. Once the gunshot was fired, Benjamin Scott can be heard yelling he had just been shot.”

It’s not Martinez’s first time being arrested in Washington County. Martinez pleaded guilty to a handful of other charges since 2022, including assault, third degree burglary, violation of probation, second and fifth degree theft, and underage use of alcohol and tobacco products.

As of Thursday afternoon, officials said Martinez remained in the Washington County Jail.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com