A wife’s affair with a toyboy ended in horror after he murdered her and her husband moments before they arrived at court to seek a restraining order, cops say.
Rachael Martinez, 31, and Jose Medina, 39, were shot dead in San Diego Wednesday while sitting in their car waiting to enter court, allegedly ambushed by Martinez’s ‘ez-lover Christopher Farrell, 26. The couple’s four children have been left orphaned.
According to court documents reported by the San Diego Union Tribune, Martinez 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 with Farrell and asked him to back off, she alleged their interaction ended in violence, and both and she her husband went on to file restraining orders 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 had insufficient evidence and corroboration to immediately move forward’, 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 over Martinez’s restraining order.
Rachael Martinez, 31, and Jose Medina, 39, were shot dead Wednesday while sitting in their car waiting to enter court, allegedly ambushed by Martinez’s ‘toyboy’ Christopher Farrell, 26
The husband and wife – who leave behind four children – had each obtained temporary restraining orders against their alleged killer
A judge granted Martinez’s restraining order on October 7, and Medina obtained a separate order against Farrell the next day, court documents showed.
Sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve Farrell with the restraining orders at work. But he had already been fired by that time and it is unclear if the orders had been served before the shooting.
On Wednesday morning, Martinez and Medina were scheduled for a hearing over her case at 9am. Police said they received reports of shots fired at 8:22am.
Witnesses told 911 dispatch that the couple were sat in their car on Union Street, around two blocks from the courthouse, and said a gunman shot them dead before fleeing the scene.
Authorities launched an urgent manhunt in the area, and a witness spotted Farrell hiding from cops behind an electrical box.
The tragedy unfolded after Medina reportedly discovered his wife’s affair, and turned violent when she attempted to call things off with her ‘toyboy’ lover
Footage showing Farrell fleeing the scene after allegedly gunning down the couple
Cops shot Farrell several times during a 90-second standoff in downtown San Diego, and he died later in hospital
When approached by Harbor Police officers, a shootout ensued as Farrell reportedly began using the electrical box door as a shield while firing a handgun at officers.
One officer was shot in the hip, before Farrell was shot several times and was mortally wounded. He was hospitalized and died hours later.
San Diego police homicide Lt. Jud Campbell said Thursday that the shootout unfolded rapidly over just 90 seconds.
On Farrell’s person, officers discovered magazine clips, a tactical flashlight and folding knives.
The wounded officer is recovering in hospital, and Harbor Police Chief Magda Fernandez said his ‘family are grateful for the support they are receiving and respectfully request privacy at this time as they process and begin healing from this traumatic incident.’