UPDATE –
by Moses Leos III
Kyle Police believe a possible history of feuding between two individuals may have driven one man to murder in what police allege was a “targeted incident” in the Waterleaf subdivision late Wednesday.
Andrew Reuben Martinez, 20, of Kyle, was arrested by Kyle Police in connection with the murder of Jacob Lambert, 19, of Kyle.
Martinez was booked into the Hays County Jail Thursday on a charge of first-degree murder, according to Hays County Jail records. Martinez is currently being held on $500,000 bond.
According to a city of Kyle press release, Kyle Police responded to the 100 block of Myrtle Street at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday for reports of gunshots. Barnett said some people reported hearing as many as seven to eight gunshots to police.
When officers arrived on scene, they found a man, later identified as Lambert, outside with injuries. Medical personnel from the San Marcos/Hays County EMS treated Lambert at the scene, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Hays County Justice of the Peace Beth Smith pronounced Lambert deceased at 12:02 a.m. Thursday. She has ordered an autopsy, which Kyle Police Chief Barnett said could determine the manner and cause of Lambert’s death.
“Several people” who were within several feet of the area at the time of the incident provided information to police on what they witnessed, Barnett said. Witnesses also provided authorities with the description of a Ford Mustang that had left the scene.
Within a matter of “minutes,” a Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputy located the Mustang “not too many miles away” from the Waterleaf neighborhood, Barnett said. Four people were in the vehicle at the time. The deputy stopped and detained the vehicle until Kyle Police officers and detectives arrived.
Authorities detained all four people and questioned them for possible involvement in the incident, Barnett said in a statement. Following interviews with the individuals, Kyle Police arrested Martinez. As information develops on the case, Barnett said it may be “possible” that other charges could be filed against the other occupants of the vehicle.
Barnett said Lambert and Martinez were acquaintances and that Kyle Police received information indicating a history of feuding with one another. He alleged that a “possible dislike” for one another may have led to the incident. He said Lambert, who was not a Waterleaf resident, was visiting a friend’s house when the incident occurred. Police believe a possible gunshot may have struck the house he was visiting.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Barnett said the shooting was a targeted incident, was not random and “didn’t appear” to be a result of a drug trade. Barnett said the incident was not gang related and that there was no harm to the Waterleaf community.
“It came out early on in the investigation that the suspect intended to cause harm to the victim,” Barnett said. “It definitely was a targeted occurrence and there is no threat to the community.”
Barnett appealed to citizens to remember to inform police of any indication of a feud or fight, or if they suspect someone is going to retaliate against someone else. He said for people to call if they have serious concerns, even if they want to remain anonymous.
“If you have information, please share it ahead of time and help us save a life and keep this community safe,” Barnett said.
Barnett said there is no indication Wednesday’s murder is related to an April drive-by shooting in the Post Oak subdivision that killed Natanaell Bardales, 18, of Kyle. He said it was “likely” individals in both cases knew each other as Kyle is a “small community.”
UPDATE – 12:39 p.m.
Kyle Police have identified Jacob Lambert, 19, of Kyle, as the victim in a murder that occurred in the Waterleaf subdivision overnight.
Andrew Reuben Martinez, 20, of Kyle, was arrested late Wednesday by Kyle Police and was booked into the Hays County Jail early Thursday morning on a charge of first-degree murder. He is currently being held in the Hays County Jail on $500,000 bond.
Staff report
Kyle Police have arrested a 20-year-old Kyle resident in connection with the death of another man late Wednesday, according to a city of Kyle press release.
Andrew Reuben Martinez, 20, of Kyle, was booked into the Hays County Jail Thursday on a charge of first-degree murder, according to Hays County jail records. No bail has been set for Martinez at this time.
Kyle Police responded at approximately 10:45 p.m. Wednesday to a call reporting possible gunshots in the Waterleaf neighborhood, according to the release.
Officers arrived on scene in the 100 block of Myrtle Street and found an adult male victim outside with injuries, according to the release. It is unknown at this time what the victim’s injuries were.
Medical personnel from the San Marcos/Hays County EMS treated the victim at the scene, but the man did not survive. Hays County Justice of the Peace Beth Smith pronounced the victim at 12:02 a.m. Thursday. An autopsy has been ordered by Smith. The victim’s name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Shortly after the incident, Barnett said officers and Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputies located and detained several individuals who were questioned for possible involvement in the incident, according to the release.
It was at that time Martinez was arrested by Kyle Police.
No additional information is available at this time. Kyle Police is continuing to investigate the incident.
This story is developing. We will provide updates as information becomes available.
