The tow truck driver who authorities say was shot to death in Riverside by a customer was identified Friday, Dec. 6, as Jesus Eligio Martinez-Acosta.
The Riverside County Coroner’s Office said he was 27 years old.
Just after 1 p.m. on Oct. 7, Riverside police responded to a report of a shooting in the area of Bandini and Magnolia avenues. Police said the suspect, identified as Javier Martinez of Landers, had called Liberty Tow for service. Martinez-Acosta’s vehicle was hooked up, and the suspect became argumentative, police said at the time.
The argument resulted in the shooting of Martinez-Acosta, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Martinez, 33, pleaded not guilty Friday to a murder charge with an enhancement of having a prior felony conviction. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Martinez is next due in court Jan. 24.
Martinez has convictions for inflicting corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition, assault with a deadly weapon and felony vandalism, Riverside County Superior Court records show.
