Neighbors Hold Wake for Victim in Police Shooting

More than 400 grieving friends, relatives and neighbors of Frank Martinez, 18, the Westminster man who was killed last week by police, gathered for a emotional wake Thursday evening.

“It’s going to be a scar on this community for a long time,” said Jim Hughes, a co-worker of the victim.

Hughes, 27, was among the overflow crowd that packed the Westminster Memorial Park chapel to comfort the family. The mourners spilled out of the chapel, which holds 200 people.

Martinez was killed by Westminster police in the driveway of his home June 15 after officers said they were attacked by people attending a birthday party for Martinez’s mother.

Some of those who attended the wake denounced the shooting, but most spent the evening remembering Martinez, an athlete and worker at the Boys’ Club of Westminster.

“What makes me hurt is I’m trying to keep kids off the street, and this one good kid gets wiped out,” said Edward Nunez, Martinez’s football coach.

Martinez was described as popular and a highly motivated athlete.

“He was a typical athlete,” said Charlie Wilkins, 41, who heads the Junior All-American Football League, for which Martinez played. “He was one of my boys.”

Wilkins said Martinez was one of the most easygoing members of the team: “We always tried to get him to be more aggressive. He was typically the one who broke up the fight.”

Hughes said: “He was responsible. He wanted to be somebody. He had a future.”

Some were angered by police comments that Martinez or members of his family may have been involved with gangs.

“This is not a gang funeral,” said Julio Palimino, 42, who lives near the Martinez family. “They’re all friends of the neighborhood, not gang members.”

The family’s attorney, Jose Zorilla, said he expected to file a lawsuit against the city sometime next week.

The Frank Martinez Memorial Fund has been set up for the family at the Boys’ Club.