STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) – The families of two slain bank robbery suspects said that police in the Northern California city of Stockton acted appropriately when they engaged in a gunbattle with their sons.
Gregory Jon Martinez said Friday that he believed that police’s use of lethal force was justifiable and expressed condolences for the family of the hostage found dead after the hour-long robbery, car chase and gun battle.
“We hold no animosity or blame the Stockton Police Department for behaving the way they did,” Martinez said, noting that some of his family members are in law enforcement. “We believe that given the circumstances the department behaved in a manner that was appropriate.”
His son Alex Gregory Martinez, 27, was one of two suspects killed Wednesday; a third survived after authorities said he used Misty Holt-Singh as a human shield during the gunfight with police.
The father expressed condolences to Holt-Singh’s family, hours after the victim’s family gave an emotional press conference in which they expressed compassion for the families of the dead suspects.