A sentencing hearing is scheduled this week for Andrew Martinez in a McKinley County felony homicide case stemming from a fatal downtown Gallup shooting, according to district court records.

The hearing is set for Friday, January 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 2 of the Eleventh Judicial District Court. Judge Bradley L. Keeler is presiding over the case, which is listed under docket number D-1113-CR-2022-00130.

Court records indicate the case has advanced to the sentencing phase following prior proceedings. The docket does not detail the sentence being sought or anticipated.

Shooting occurred during late-night confrontation

According to a sworn affidavit filed in McKinley County Magistrate Court, the homicide occurred on the night of November 16, 2024, in the 200 block of West Coal Avenue in downtown Gallup.

Gallup Police officers were dispatched to the area at approximately 10:22 p.m. after receiving reports of multiple gunshots. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. Officers immediately attempted emergency aid and requested medical assistance.

The victim was transported by ambulance to Gallup Indian Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased. He was initially identified as a John Doe but was later confirmed through fingerprint analysis as Derrock Orosco.

Evidence recovered at the scene

Investigators documented that the shooting occurred in an area surrounded by apartment buildings, parked vehicles, and nearby businesses. Officers secured the scene with crime scene tape while detectives processed evidence.

According to the affidavit, investigators recovered six spent shell casings and one live round from the roadway. The casings included 9mm Blazer Luger ammunition and 9mm Winchester Luger ammunition. A bullet projectile was also recovered.

Detectives also located a white towel containing a red substance believed to be blood, along with additional physical evidence photographed and logged into evidence. The firearm used in the shooting was not recovered.

Surveillance video reviewed by investigators

Detectives reviewed surveillance video from nearby businesses along West Coal Avenue. The affidavit states the video shows a white Nissan passenger car parked along the street near the scene.

Investigators allege that three individuals approached the vehicle moments before the shooting. The video reportedly shows one individual removing a handgun from his clothing and manipulating the slide, which detectives stated would be consistent with chambering a live round.

According to the affidavit, a confrontation followed near the vehicle. The video allegedly depicts a physical altercation in the street, during which multiple gunshots were fired. Detectives reported observing visible clouds of smoke around the handgun during the encounter.

The affidavit states the victim appeared to advance toward the armed individual as another person attempted to intervene. Additional gunshots were allegedly fired before the victim fell to the ground and stopped moving.

Vehicle flees scene after shooting

Court records allege that after the shooting, the individuals involved entered the white Nissan and left the area, traveling eastbound on Coal Avenue. Officers broadcast a description of the vehicle and suspects to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

Later that night, New Mexico State Police and the Crownpoint Navajo Nation Police Department located the vehicle in Vanderwagen, New Mexico. Two individuals were detained, while investigators continued efforts to locate another individual named in the affidavit.

One individual was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, while another was taken into custody for public intoxication. Officers collected clothing and other items as part of the investigation.

Witness interviews and follow-up investigation

Detectives conducted multiple interviews in the days following the shooting, including with occupants of the vehicle and other witnesses. According to the affidavit, one witness reported hearing approximately seven gunshots during the altercation.

Investigators also obtained surveillance footage from a Love’s Travel Stop in Vanderwagen, where a security guard reported seeing two males matching the suspects’ descriptions stop for fuel shortly after the shooting.

Additional interviews were conducted at the Gallup Police Department and the McKinley County Adult Detention Facility. Detectives documented statements regarding movements before and after the shooting, alcohol consumption earlier in the evening, and the handling of the firearm.

The affidavit notes that the handgun believed to be involved in the shooting was never located.

Sentencing hearing scheduled

District court records show the case is now scheduled for sentencing, marking a significant procedural step. Sentencing hearings typically involve arguments from prosecutors and defense counsel, along with consideration of statutory sentencing ranges and any mitigating or aggravating factors allowed under New Mexico law.

The docket does not indicate whether victim impact statements or additional filings will be presented at the hearing.

San Juan Pulse will continue to monitor the case and report updates as reflected in official court records.

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PUBLIC RECORD NOTE:
This article is based on official public records, court filings, and sworn law enforcement affidavits obtained through lawful public-records access. Information is presented for transparency and public awareness. All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.