Officer Fires Eight Shots After Struggle With Driver

Covers a May 18, 2026 traffic stop in Galveston, Texas, that escalated into a physical struggle between officer Joshua Nino De Guzman and driver Randy Martin, 47, and ended with the officer firing eight rounds. Martin was pronounced dead at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and a passenger was also taken to the emergency room. According to investigators' descriptions of the footage, the struggle began when the officer tried to pat Martin down and handcuff him. The officer later said he feared for his life. Investigators did not list a firearm belonging to Martin among the recovered evidence, and the Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a homicide. A Galveston County grand jury declined to indict the officer after a Texas Rangers investigation. The matter then moved to the 56th District Court, where a hearing addressed the release of unredacted dashcam and body camera videos. The motion was filed by attorney Alberto Ruiz on behalf of Martin's mother as part of a threatened $18 million wrongful death claim.

• Traffic stop in Galveston, Texas, on May 18, 2026
• Physical struggle between the officer and the driver before the shooting
• Eight rounds fired; the driver died at the hospital
• Grand jury declined to indict; court fight over unredacted video

* (Disclaimer: The content in this video is intended for educational and informational purposes only) Galveston, Texas — On May 18, 2026, at around 3:49 p.m., Galveston Police Officer Joshua Nino De Guzman spotted 47-year-old Randy Martin driving a black Lincoln away from an alley near Avenue L, an area reportedly under narcotics surveillance. After allegedly observing Martin fail to stop at several stop signs, the officer initiated a traffic stop in the 1700 block of 55th Street. De Guzman approached the vehicle and spoke with Martin for several minutes before asking him to step outside. The encounter escalated as the officer attempted to pat Martin down and place him in handcuffs. According to investigators’ descriptions of the footage, Martin resisted, pulled his arms away and eventually became involved in a physical struggle with the officer. The video reportedly shows Martin wrapping an arm around De Guzman’s head and neck before reaching toward his waistband and moving back toward the vehicle. During the struggle, Martin allegedly grabbed De Guzman’s holstered service weapon while reaching for another object. De Guzman later told investigators that he feared for his life and believed Martin was attempting to access a firearm. After breaking free, the officer drew his handgun and fired eight rounds. Martin suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was transported by emergency responders to the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he was pronounced dead. A passenger who had been inside Martin’s vehicle was also taken to the emergency room following the shooting. Investigators did not list a firearm belonging to Martin among the recovered evidence, although they reported finding a plastic container and bags containing substances that presumptive testing indicated were positive for unidentified materials. The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Martin’s death a homicide. Following an investigation by the Texas Rangers, a Galveston County grand jury declined to indict Officer De Guzman. The officer remained employed by the department and was assigned to its Support Services Bureau. Following the grand jury's decision, the legal battle shifted to the 56th District Court, where Judge Lonnie Cox presided over a hearing to compel the release of the unredacted dashcam and body camera videos. The motion was filed by civil rights attorney Alberto Ruiz on behalf of Martin’s mother, Paula Martin Lynch, as part of a threatened $18 million wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Galveston, the Galveston Police Department, and Officer De Guzman. Judge Cox granted the motion, ordering the immediate release of the footage to the family's legal team. The court order bypassed previous restrictions, allowing the family and their representation full access to the evidence alongside the 40-page Texas Rangers investigative report. With the footage now in hand, the family continues to pursue civil litigation, seeking accountability and further answ