Illegal Immigrant Charged with Murder After Alleged Attack on Mother and Children

Authorities have accused Gildardo Amandor-Martinez, a 36-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, of shooting and killing 15-year-old Luis Jocsan Nanez Lopez. The tragic event unfolded on July 20 when Lopez attempted to defend his mother from an alleged rape attempt by Martinez, who is also charged with first-degree assault and attempted rape. During the encounter, Lopez was shot in the face while his younger sister was also reportedly assaulted.

According to court documents reviewed by local media, the incident began in the early hours when Martinez attempted to force himself on his girlfriend, prompting her to scream for help. Lopez, hearing his mother’s distress, went to her aid and considered calling the police. Martinez, however, ordered him to leave and grabbed a firearm, eventually firing through the door multiple times, resulting in Lopez's death at the scene. The mother managed to escape with her three children while reportedly hearing additional shots being fired as she fled the apartment.

Lopez's untimely death is particularly tragic as he was preparing to start his sophomore year at Rowan County Senior High School. In light of the incident, ICE has placed a detainer request on Martinez to prevent him from being released back into the community. The case has sparked considerable controversy, with officials criticizing the Biden administration's border policies for allowing individuals like Martinez to enter the country, thus leading to this heinous crime.