Farmington, NM -In the early hours of January 11th, at approximately 1:11 am, Farmington Police Department officers responded to a disturbance at the Encore Motel, located at 1900 East Main Street. The incident involved a physical altercation, where 25-year-old Shane John had assaulted three individuals, including 28-year-old Matthew Martinez. Mr. Martinez was medically assessed and released on scene.

Later in the day, at 3:00 pm, officers were again dispatched to the Encore Motel, this time in response to a medical call. Mr. Martinez was discovered deceased inside his hotel room. Detectives responded promptly, and their investigation revealed that the injuries sustained during the earlier altercation with Mr. John had ultimately resulted in Mr. Martinez’s untimely death.

As a result of the findings, Shane John has been taken into custody and charged with Battery and Murder – a 2nd-degree felony. The Farmington Police Department expresses its deepest condolences to Mr. Martinez’s family and friends during this difficult time.

The Farmington Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. Further updates on this case will be provided as the investigation unfolds.