‘She loved life,’ Woman killed in Las Vegas rental car business shooting identified by friends as ex-fiancé of suspect
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The woman killed during what police described as a targeted shooting behind a rental car service on Saturday was days away from celebrating her birthday before her ex-fiancé allegedly shot her.
Las Vegas police said a man and a woman were shot while retrieving their rental car behind the Avis on Sahara and Decatur Saturday afternoon. Friends identified the female victim who was pronounced dead at the scene as 36-year-old Gina Martin, a Las Vegas native who was recently living in Colorado.
Ivan Williams said Martin was back in the valley to celebrate her 37th birthday on Monday, two days after her life was taken.
36-year-old Gina Martin, identified by friends and family as the victim from Saturday’s fatal shooting behind an Avis rent-a-car service.” (Ivan Williams) – “Ivan Williams (left) and Gina Martin (right).” (Ivan Williams)
“She didn’t celebrate herself a lot, so this year she was like, ‘I want to celebrate myself. I want to come to Vegas, hang out with my friends and family,’” Williams said in North Las Vegas Monday afternoon. “If you knew Gina, you loved her. There’s nobody, aside from the suspect, who I could say met Gina and didn’t love her.”
Police identified the suspect on Monday as 37-year-old Frederick Lee Blanche Jr., the same day they announced his Sunday arrest in Buckeye, Arizona. LVMPD’s homicide lieutenant told media on Saturday that a mobile police surveillance unit stationed in the Avis back parking lot and stationary security cameras from nearby businesses captured his arrival, shooting and escape.
Williams said he believed the shooting was an act of domestic violence.
“It’s just been, like, a series of him harassing her. I know that for a fact. He’s done it once when she was with me, like constantly calling her, trying to figure out where she was at.” Williams said, learning the confirmation of the shooter’s name moments prior to this interview. “The last communication I actually had with Gina was me telling her, ‘Hey, Fred’s in my Instagram stories,’ and that was probably an hour before he killed her.”
Blanche Jr. now awaits extradition to Las Vegas while in an Arizona detention center where he will face multiple felony charges, including open murder.
Williams, friends, and family are left to navigate the grief of the person described as “a huge loss to the world.” He said Martin worked in the hospitality industry and was contemplating a move back to Clark County to be closer to her family and 18-year-old son that just graduated from high school.
“I’m thankful that God allowed me to experience you,” Williams said through tears when asked what he would tell Martin if given the opportunity. “She loved everybody. She loved life. She loved celebrating life. She loved her son.”
“To find myself in these moments where I’m laughing and enjoying life knowing that somebody who I love to live these moments with is no longer here to enjoy them with me, it just feels selfish. How can you possibly be happy when one of the worst days of your life is going on?” he said.
As of the last update, the male gunshot victim was taken to UMC in critical condition.
For a list of local and state resources for domestic violence and abuse victims, visit this link.
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