Morehead teen’s accused killer tried to enter U.S. 3 times since 2021, DHS says

MOREHEAD, Ky. (FOX 56) — Federal authorities are taking a close look at the man accused of shooting and killing a Morehead teenager after the attempted rape of his mother.

Gildardo Martinez was arrested on Sunday after allegedly shooting his girlfriend’s two children, killing 15-year-old Luis Jocsan Nanez Lopez. Earlier that night, Lopez had stepped in in an attempt to stop Martinez from forcing himself on his mother. He’s been charged with murder, first-degree assault, and first-degree attempted rape, among other charges.

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Rep. Andy Barr brought 36-year-old Gildardo Martinez’s citizenship to FOX 56’s attention on Tuesday, July 22. An arrest citation noted that Martinez was a “part-time Kentucky resident,” but United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed with Barr that he was not a U.S. citizen.

The following day, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released further details after officials secured an ICE detainer, a legal request for law enforcement to hold the inmate in custody until they can be turned over to immigration authorities. 

According to DHS, Martinez is from Mexico and has attempted to enter the U.S. illegally at the southern border three times since 2021. He was successful on the third try at an unknown date and location.

“15-year-old Luis Lopez died trying to save his mother from this criminal illegal alien who was attempting to rape her. Gildardo Amandor-Martinez is a rapist and cold-blooded killer who should have never been in this country,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

Lopez was greatly admired and called a “sweet student” by Rowan County Senior High School. He would have been a sophomore in the fall.

“The Biden administration’s open-border policies allowed this monster to walk American streets and commit these evil crimes, including murder, assault, and attempted rape, against a mother and her children. ICE has placed an arrest detainer to ensure Amandor-Martinez will not be released onto America’s streets and allowed to terrorize American families again,” McLaughlin said.

Martinez remains in the Rowan County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.