The case of Roberto Martinez and his teenage son has shocked Los Angeles and ignited nationwide conversations about gang culture, parental influence, and the tragic consequences of youth involvement in violent crime. On February 10, 2024, Martinez, a documented gang member, allegedly provided his 14-year-old son with a firearm used to commit a fatal drive-by shooting in downtown Los Angeles.
The killing of Kevin Rivera, believed by Martinez to be affiliated with a rival gang, left one person dead and two others wounded. The case is now unfolding in the courts and has garnered widespread media attention for its disturbing details and heartbreaking implications.
A Night of Graffiti Turns Deadly
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the events of February 10 began as what might have seemed to the young boy a night of mischief and bonding with his father. Roberto Martinez reportedly took his son on a graffiti spree through downtown Los Angeles, a common expression of territory and identity within gang culture. The two tagged various buildings and structures, leaving behind the mark of Martinez’s gang affiliation—The Magicians’ Club, or TMC.
But as the evening progressed, what started as a relatively non-violent act of vandalism turned deadly. The father and son allegedly encountered Kevin Rivera, a 21-year-old believed by Martinez to be a member of a rival gang known as the Playboys. Rivera was reportedly in the wrong place at the wrong time, and this chance meeting would soon escalate into a fatal shooting.
According to an affidavit obtained by The Los Angeles Times, five gunshots were fired through the passenger window of a car, hitting Rivera and wounding two other individuals. Rivera later died from his injuries. The shooter, police say, was none other than Martinez’s 14-year-old son, who held the gun and pulled the trigger—allegedly with the weapon provided by his father.
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The affidavit alleges that Martinez not only supplied the weapon but also encouraged the act, thus implicating him directly in Rivera’s murder. While Martinez has pleaded not guilty, the mounting evidence paints a troubling picture of a father deeply entrenched in gang culture, dragging his young son along a violent path.
Gang Affiliation and a History of Crime
Roberto Martinez’s criminal history spans nearly two decades, marked by repeated incarcerations for offenses including drug possession and illegal firearm possession. He is a confirmed member of the Magicians’ Club, a Hollywood-based gang with a reputation for violent crimes and turf wars. His street name, “Stranger,” is well known among LAPD officers familiar with gang activity in Los Angeles.
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The father’s criminal past adds significant weight to the current allegations. According to court records and police reports, Martinez has shown a persistent pattern of unlawful behavior and gang loyalty. His decision to involve his teenage son in a deadly shooting further exemplifies his deep entrenchment in the gang lifestyle and his willingness to sacrifice even his child’s future for the sake of violent retribution.
The LAPD affidavit revealed that following his arrest, Martinez spoke candidly about the shooting while in custody. In a recorded jailhouse call, he stated, “My son did what he had to do, dog,” claiming he attempted to stop the shooting by grabbing the gun.
However, detectives believe this account contradicts the evidence, which suggests that Martinez actually handed the firearm to his son. This firearm—a .40-caliber Glock—was later recovered during a police pursuit in Wilmington, California. Ballistics testing confirmed that it was the weapon used in Rivera’s murder.
Adding another layer to the investigation, police uncovered WhatsApp messages on a phone belonging to another individual, Alvarez, who had allegedly purchased the same Glock for $800 just five days after the shooting. These digital records have helped LAPD investigators establish a clearer timeline and strengthen the case against both Martinez and others potentially involved in aiding or abetting the crime.
The Tragedy of Youth in Gang Culture
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this case is the involvement of Martinez’s 14-year-old son—a child whose future now hangs in the balance. While his identity remains undisclosed due to his age, the impact of his alleged actions is unmistakable. The boy is now charged with murder, and while the legal system may provide him some protection due to his youth, the psychological and emotional consequences of such an act will likely haunt him for the rest of his life.
Experts in juvenile justice and gang rehabilitation say that this case exemplifies the dangers faced by children raised in gang-dominated environments. With a parent actively involved in gang activity, the odds are heavily stacked against a child seeking a different path. Children in such households often witness violence, absorb toxic ideologies, and are pressured into participating in criminal acts to prove loyalty or gain acceptance.
The LAPD and child advocacy groups argue that intervention is key to preventing such tragedies. Programs aimed at mentoring, education, and counseling for at-risk youth have proven successful in many instances. However, when the home itself becomes a source of criminal influence, even the best community-based efforts may not be enough.
In this case, the teen was not just exposed to gang culture—he was allegedly weaponized by his own father to carry out a killing. Prosecutors now face the difficult task of deciding how to pursue justice in a way that accounts for the boy’s age, his manipulation by an adult authority figure, and the severity of the crime.
Meanwhile, Martinez, despite his not-guilty plea, continues to face a growing body of incriminating evidence. From the jailhouse recordings to the ballistic match of the firearm, the LAPD’s case builds on a foundation of physical evidence, witness testimony, and digital communications. As the legal proceedings unfold, the story of Roberto Martinez and his son is likely to spark deeper conversations about the intersections of crime, family, and social responsibility.
As tragic as this case is, it may also serve as a wake-up call—highlighting the urgent need for stronger safeguards for children growing up in high-crime areas, more robust community policing, and legal mechanisms to hold adult gang members accountable not just for their own actions but for corrupting and endangering the lives of their children.
Whether the justice system can untangle the layers of criminal intent, parental influence, and youthful vulnerability in this complex case remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that one young man is dead, two others were injured, and a teenager’s life has been altered irreversibly—all allegedly at the behest of a father who should have been his protector, not his accomplice.