On January 11, 2025, just after 1:30 a.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Decker was patrolling the area of McCarty Lane near County Road 550 East when he conducted a traffic stop on a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado for a traffic violation. During the stop, the driver informed Trooper Decker that their vehicle had purportedly been shot at shortly before the traffic stop. Trooper Decker also observed what appeared to be a bullet hole on the side of the Silverado.
Trooper Decker gathered information about a suspect vehicle and its occupants, which he immediately relayed to other officers. Shortly after, the Lafayette Police Department located and conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee matching the suspect vehicle’s description.
During the stop, a Tippecanoe County K-9 unit was utilized and alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a substance believed to be cocaine, as well as keys to a Chevrolet Cruze.
As the investigation progressed, Trooper Decker identified the area of County Road 800 East and State Road 38 to be the likely location of the shooting. At that location, troopers recovered a spent firearm casing and located a Chevrolet Cruze. The keys found inside the Jeep are believed to belong to the Cruze.
The driver of the Jeep, identified as Wendy Martinez, 27, of Lafayette, and the passenger, Daniel Martinez, 27, of Lafayette, were taken into custody and transported to the Tippecanoe County Jail.
Arrested Individuals and Preliminary Charges:
• Daniel Martinez, 27, Lafayette
- Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon – Level 6 Felony
• Wendy Martinez, 27, Lafayette
- Possession of Cocaine – Level 6 Felony
This remains an active and ongoing investigation conducted by troopers from the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post. No further information is available at this time.
Trooper Decker was assisted in this investigation by other troopers from the Lafayette Post, the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafayette Police Department.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.