California wife’s affair with toyboy ends in horrific double murder on courthouse steps
A woman’s affair with a toyboy ended in horror after he killed her and her husband just before they arrived at court to apply for a restraining order, police say.
Rachael Martinez, 31, and Jose Medina, 39, were shot dead Wednesday as they sat in their car waiting to go to court, allegedly ambushed by Martinez’s “toy boy” Christopher Farrell, 26. The four children of the couple are orphaned.
This is evident from court documents reported by the Union Tribune of San DiegoMartinez had been involved in an affair with Farrell for several weeks, but broke it off when Medina found out in late September.
When Martinez met Farrell and asked him to back off, she claimed their interaction ended in violence, and she and her husband subsequently filed a restraining order against the 26-year-old.
Farrell was fired from his job as a security guard at the Metropolitan Transit System office, and he was initially arrested after Martinez alleged domestic violence, false imprisonment and sex crimes in her restraining order.
But police said the case contained “insufficient evidence and corroboration to proceed immediately,” and Farrell was released from jail.
The tragedy involving the husband and wife would unfold just days later when the couple returned to court for a hearing on Martinez’s restraining order.
Rachael Martinez, 31, and Jose Medina, 39, were shot dead Wednesday as they sat in their car waiting to enter court, allegedly ambushed by Martinez’s “toy boy” Christopher Farrell, 26
The husband and wife – who leave behind four children – had each obtained a temporary restraining order against their alleged killer
A judge approved Martinez’s restraining order on Oct. 7, and Medina obtained a separate order against Farrell the next day, court documents showed.
Sheriff’s deputies tried to serve Farrell with the restraining orders at work. But by then he had already been fired and it is unclear whether the warrants were issued before the shooting.
On Wednesday morning, Martinez and Medina scheduled a hearing on her case for 9 a.m. Police said they received reports of shots fired at 8:22 a.m.
Witnesses told 911 dispatchers that the couple were sitting in their car on Union Street, about two blocks from the courthouse, and said a gunman shot and killed them before fleeing the scene.
Authorities launched an urgent manhunt in the area and a witness saw Farrell hiding from police behind an electrical box.
The tragedy occurred after Medina allegedly discovered his wife’s affair and became violent when she tried to call things off with her “toyboy” lover.
Footage shows Farrell fleeing the scene after allegedly shooting the couple
Police shot Farrell several times during a 90-second standoff in downtown San Diego, and he later died in the hospital
When Farrell was approached by Harbor Police officers, a shootout ensued when Farrell allegedly began using the electrical box door as a shield while firing a gun at officers.
One officer was shot in the hip before Farrell was shot several times and fatally wounded. He was hospitalized and died hours later.
Murder case by San Diego Police Lt. Jud Campbell said Thursday that the gunfight unfolded quickly in just 90 seconds.
Officers discovered magazine clips, a tactical flashlight and pocket knives on Farrell.
The injured officer is recovering in hospital and Port Police Chief Magda Fernandez said his “family is grateful for the support they are receiving and respectfully requests privacy at this time as they process this traumatic incident and begin to heal.”