Enrique Martinez Charged In Connection With The 2013 Death Of Xavier Melgoza In Milwaukee

Martinez was living in Georgia after he fled from a shooting incident that claimed the life of Xavier Melgoza in 2013.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 3, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - Enrique Martinez, 21, aka, Smiley will be arraigned on October 4th in connection with the August 2013 shooting death of Xavier Melgoza, 18, in Milwaukee's Southside. Martinez has been charged with one felony count for discharging of a weapon from a vehicle and a cash bond of $15,000 was set. If convicted, Martinez is facing up to 12 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

Martinez apparently fired his weapon from a moving vehicle at Melgoza who was following him in a red truck. Martinez and another suspect had stolen two 24-packs of beer cases from Salas Grocery on S. 9th Street and W. Hayes. Melgoza was struck in the head and crashed his truck in a tree. Melgoza died a day later from his head injury. Melgoza worked at Salas and witnessed the theft by Martinez and had followed the two suspects who got into a vehicle and fled the scene.

Martinez left the state and was living in Georgia with an assume name. A criminal complaint was filed in Milwaukee County against Martinez on August 2017 and was taken into custody on September 18.

Another suspect connected to the case, Ezequiel Jacobo, now 41 was convicted after pleading guilty to one felony count for harboring and aiding a felon and was sentenced on January 2014 to 18 months in prison and 24 months of supervision, according to court recourts.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has listed Jacobo as absconded (fled from supervision and is wanted).