On-duty Roswell Walmart employee guns down man inside store
Oct. 19—A Walmart employee was on the tail end of his shift when he allegedly shot a rival several times Saturday in the fall decor aisle of the Roswell store.
Joshua Ray Martinez, 18, is charged with an open count of murder and unlawful carrying of a handgun in the death of Steve Soltero, 19.
On Thursday, police charged Zayleen Thyberg, 22, with tampering with evidence after she allegedly was caught on video removing a gun from Soltero's hand and hiding it in a nearby box of autumnal decorations.
Video also showed Soltero was hiding, and appeared to arm himself, when Martinez came around the corner and shot him, according to court records.
Martinez has not been assigned an attorney.
A manager at the Walmart told the Journal Thursday, "We are not supposed to speak with the media."
Prosecutors have filed a motion to keep Martinez behind bars until trial, saying when he was arrested he "confessed to the murder" and police found the gun in his home.
The motion states Martinez should be considered a flight risk as he fled from the shooting scene "even though he was still on shift as an employee of Walmart."
"And (it) took law enforcement roughly two days to find him," according to the motion.
A GoFundMe campaign was started for Soltero's funeral expenses by his mother. A person commented on the page, "Little Stevie Me, Rena and the boys will always cherish the memories we made with you. We love you little one Rest in Heaven."
Soltero, on Facebook, announced in May he was in a relationship with Thyberg, writing "ur only person that makes me feel warm in my heart and that makes me want a family ... hope we grow old together."
Officers responded about 10:20 p.m. to a reported shooting at the Walmart and found Soltero with several gunshot wounds, according to a criminal complaint filed in Magistrate Court. Soltero died at the hospital, and police found several bullet casings at the scene and a different caliber gun hidden in a box of decor.
Police said video surveillance showed Martinez confront Soltero and Thyberg, "exchanging words and hand gestures." Thyberg took a swing at Martinez when Soltero went down an aisle and hid behind a pallet.
Video showed Martinez pulled a firearm out of his backpack and Soltero appeared to grab a gun from his waist while hiding, according to the complaint. Martinez is seen coming around the corner and shooting Soltero multiple times.
Police said the video showed Thyberg picked up a gun from near Soltero and hid it in a "box of fall home décor" where it was later found by officers.
Walmart staff confirmed to police that Martinez had taken the bus to work and his shift had started at 1 p.m.
