ROCK ISLAND, Ill — Israel Martinez, the suspect in the double homicide of 17-year-old Giovanni Flores and 19-year-old Zachary Meincke, pleaded not guilty during a hearing on Tuesday, May 28.
Martinez is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of obstructing justice.
During the hearing, a Moline police detective testified that when Martinez was arrested, he told investigators that Flores pointed a gun at his face in the basement of a home on the 1800 block of 31st Street in Moline. Martinez claimed that he then grabbed the gun and shot Flores and Meincke out of fear of retaliation.
Additionally, the detective testified that witnesses heard gunshots and saw Martinez leave in a car with three other people. One of those witnesses also told investigators that Martinez was laughing about the shooting.
Moline Police said they have not found any evidence indicating that Martinez went to the home intending to shoot Flores or Meincke.
Martinez is being held in jail without bond ahead of his trial. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for June 27th.