Former Texas Southern University football player Tyler Martinez was fatally shot on July 11 during a dispute in the parking garage of his apartment complex in Houston, Texas. The 24-year-old defensive tackle was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:15 p.m. at the Mac 4460 Apartments on South MacGregor Way at Calhoun, just blocks from the Texas Southern University campus. Houston Police Department officers responded to the scene and found Martinez unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds.
Isaac Jasper Robinson, a 22-year-old sophomore at Texas Southern University, has been charged with murder in connection with Martinez’ death. Robinson, who lived in the same apartment complex as Martinez, initially fled the scene but later returned and confessed to the shooting, according to police reports.
Court documents detail that the fatal encounter began as a physical altercation between the two men in the parking garage. Witnesses told police that during the fight, Martinez had pinned Robinson to the ground. As Martinez began to walk away from the confrontation, a woman associated with Robinson allegedly retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and handed it to him.
Robinson then fired multiple rounds at Martinez, striking him three times in the torso. The Houston Fire Department attempted life-saving measures, but Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Robinson appeared in Harris County Probable Cause Court on Saturday, July 12, where prosecutors requested a $250,000 bond. The defense attorney asked for a $75,000 bond, noting that Robinson had no prior criminal history and was employed by a local security company. Judge Veronica M. Nelson ultimately set the bond at $150,000.
The bond conditions require Robinson to wear GPS monitoring, follow a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and avoid possession of weapons, drugs, and alcohol. He must also remain within Harris County or adjacent counties if released.
Martinez, a Houston native who graduated from Humble High School, played four seasons for the Texas Southern Tigers from 2019 through 2023. The 6-foot-3, 283-pound defensive lineman recorded 82 total tackles and 5.5 sacks during his college career. In his junior year, he was second on the team with 44 tackles and led the team with 3.5 sacks.
Texas Southern football chief of staff Charles Nichols remembered Martinez in a university statement, describing him as someone who “was a young man who was loved by his teammates and his personality was larger than life.” Nichols indicated that Martinez had recently completed his degree and had begun pursuing a master’s degree.
Wide receivers coach Jerwin Wilson characterized Martinez as a joy to be around and noted that he was an adventurous person who could spark a light in any room. The coaching staff emphasized Martinez’ dedication to improving as both a player and a person.
The university confirmed that Martinez had completed his football eligibility in 2023 after serving as a defensive tackle during his final three seasons. Before joining Texas Southern, he played for Humble High School, where he established himself as a standout performer.
Police have not disclosed whether Martinez and Robinson knew each other prior to the incident, though both were residents of the same apartment complex. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining the role of the woman who allegedly provided the firearm to Robinson.
Robinson is currently enrolled as a full-time student at Texas Southern University and works as a security guard, though it remains unclear whether he was stationed at the apartment complex where the shooting occurred. The Harris County Jail is holding Robinson on the murder charge.
The Texas Southern University community has expressed grief over the loss of Martinez, with coaching staff and teammates remembering him as someone who made a positive impact both on and off the field. The university plans to honor Martinez’ memory and contributions to the football program.
