AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a suspect drew a weapon at a Thundercloud Subs in south Austin on Thursday afternoon, bystander Fernando Martinez tackled him to prevent anyone from getting hurt.
In the moments that followed, Austin police officers who had been tracking the suspect opened fire, and one of their shots struck Fernando Martinez in the shoulder—he is now recovering. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Thursday afternoon that the APD Major Crime Unit was investigating a series of burglaries and a home invasion involving a firearm, all connected to the suspect.
Martinez, who was ordering a sandwich at the Thundercloud Subs, said he noticed the suspect open the door and come towards him in “an aggressive manner.”
“I saw him reach from what appeared to be a weapon from his waistband,” Martinez said. “I sidestepped to get behind him, and then I crossed over with my arm around his neck and started to choke him from behind…then I heard the gunshots go off.”
Austin police officers shot and killed the suspect and then tended to Martinez as he was also hit by one of the shots.
“One police officer said, ‘I’m going to put a tourniquet on you,’ and he put it on my shoulder,” Martinez said. “That’s when I looked over and I saw these, an unsightly shoulder where I saw fragments out.”
Martinez was taken to the hospital and was later released with a brace on his right arm. For the past few days, he has been resting at home with his family.
“It’s limited range of motion and also grip. So I am able to move my fingers freely. I am able to use it, but not at full capacity. I mean, just putting on a simple task like putting on deodorant, is quite challenging,” Martinez said.
Martinez’s significant other, Angelica Ramirez, said she wasn’t surprised Martinez acted to protect others in that moment.
“That is honestly the primary reason that I’ve fell in love with him and that we’re even where we’re at today because of that character of him,” Ramirez said. “He definitely just gave himself for that moment and protecting whoever would be there.”
Martinez and Ramirez co-own and operate Nanditos, a small family-run business that serves local customers with a range of home and property maintenance services—from landscaping to appliance repair. The business is currently on pause due to Martinez’s injury.
“We rely on it to pay our mortgage, daycare, just anything of that nature,” Martinez said. “I’m sure you’re eager to get back to it, because I love what I do.”
Despite the setback, Martinez said he is grateful to still be alive and see his family as he recovers from the injury.
“It’s a journey with many uncertainties, but my family, my wife is there that has been supporting me throughout the entire process,” Martinez said.
Martinez and Ramirez have a GoFundMe set up to help the family financially as their business is on pause. If you would like to donate, you can click right here.
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