Man Charged With Shooting Hispanic Pastor Is Under $1.5 Million Bond

  • Thursday, August 1, 2013
Travis Martin
Travis Martin

A 23-year-old man charged with shooting an Hispanic pastor is under bonds totaling $1.5 million.

General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes raised the bonds for Travis Martin after hearing proof about the June 17 incident at an Hispanic store on Huff Place off 23rd Street.

Santos Morales, pastor of a nearby Pentecostal Church of God, was shot through the side when he tried to intervene in an armed robbery.

Three juveniles - ages 17, 13 and 13 - were also charged with attempted first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery.

Pastor Morales said he walked from his church to the nearby store that serves smoothies. He said Petronilo Gabriel was also inside when three young black males came in the door. He said when they entered, a small child went outside. He said he went out to retrieve the child.

He said when he returned he saw that Martin had placed a gun on his friend and was demanding money. He said he asked him, "Don't do anything to hurt us."

The pastor said he reached for the gunman's hand, but he moved back. He said Martin stated, "You're going to die," then pulled the trigger. The victim was treated and released at a local hospital. The bullet went through him and came out.

The witness said there was a fourth young black male out by a van. All ran after the shooting, but they were apprehended a short time later.

Mr. Gabriel said Martin ordered him to give him his wallet, and he complied. He said the wallet contained $100 and a bank card. He said the bank card was later found in Martin's sock, and the wallet was also retrieved.

He said the gunman also demanded money from the pastor. He said Rev. Morales "knows some self-defense and he tried to defend me. He said, "He felt bad about what was happening to me."

The witness said pastor Morales said, "Calm down. Put down the pistol. We haven't done anything."

Prosecutor Carl Huskins said Martin was on probation out of Criminal Court on an aggravated burglary conviction.

Judge Starnes directed that he begin serving an 11-month and 29-day sentence out of General Sessions Court.

Bond was raised to $1 million on the attempted murder and $500,000 on the robbery.  

  

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