Martin Brooks was sentenced to Life plus 35 years for the murder of Carmen Rodriguez
Baltimore, Md. (July 3, 2023) - Today, a Baltimore City judge handed down the maximum sentence of Life plus 35 years in prison to Martin Brooks for the 2019 fatal shooting of Patterson Park store owner Carmen Rodriguez. Brooks was found guilty in February of First Degree Felony Murder, Second Degree Murder, Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Wear/Carry/Transport of a Handgun, and Felon in Possession of a Handgun. Assistant State’s Attorney Rita Wisthoff-Ito prosecuted this case.
“The loss of Ms. Rodriguez continues to be felt by our city years later,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “No outcome of this case can restore what her family and friends lost on December 22, 2019, nor the trauma her children experienced witnessing the brutal murder of their beloved mother. I hope this lengthy sentence provides some closure in this painful and life-altering chapter of their lives and demonstrates my commitment to ensuring justice for all and removing violent offenders from our streets. If you are willing to take innocent lives, you will lose your freedom and ability to walk Baltimore's streets.”
On December 22, 2019, at approximately 5:27 p.m., at 157 N. Kenwood Avenue, Baltimore Police officers responded to a report of a shooting at Kim's Deli. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, identified as Carmen Rodriguez, lying on the floor behind the counter suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head. Despite medical intervention, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene at 5:38 p.m. The area was canvassed by homicide detectives who recovered one .45 caliber shell casing and one projectile.
“I hope this sentence can finally bring some peace and closure to the family and friends of Carmen Rodriguez. I know that the Patterson Park community feels her absence – to this day,” said BPD Acting Commissioner Richard Worley. “I want to thank all the members of BPD for their hard work and dedication on this case. The Department thanks all our law enforcement partners in the continued commitment to removing violent offenders from our city’s streets, arresting them and ensuring that they stay in jail.”
During the course of the investigation, a suspect was identified as a Black male wearing dark clothing, a mask, gloves, and armed with a handgun. The suspect entered the Deli and lunged over the cash register counter where the victim stood. The suspect demanded money before firing a single round from the handgun at the victim. The shooter then fled the scene through the front door. The victim's children were all in the store at the time of the shooting, including an infant who was in a car carrier within feet of where his mother was shot.
“Ms. Rodriguez’s children should be celebrating the Fourth of July with their mother tomorrow. They should be spending every day being loved and cared for by her,” said ATF Baltimore Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Persails. “But the reckless and callous acts of this criminal took that away from them and the rest of her loved ones forever. Nothing can replace the loss of Ms. Rodriguez, but we hope today’s sentencing gives them some sense of justice. ATF will continue working alongside the Baltimore Police Department and State’s Attorney’s Office every day to find the trigger-pullers that threaten the safety of Baltimore communities.”
Investigators recovered surveillance video footage from the store and surrounding businesses and residences. The footage showed a black Honda parking on the 100 block of N. Streeper Street. The driver exited the vehicle and walked to the Deli. When they entered the store, they purchased several items and then returned to the vehicle.
Shortly after the driver returned to the vehicle, the front passenger, who was the only other occupant in the vehicle, exited the car wearing a black sweatshirt, a mask, gloves, and New Balance sneakers. The Deli surveillance camera captured the passenger entering the store displaying a handgun. The suspect then held the victim at gunpoint and opened the register. The suspect then fired one shot at the victim and then fled the scene.