On this fateful morning, Andrew and friends were approached by a gang and, as everyone was running away, Andrew did not know what to do and froze. He was shot and killed. Andrew panicked because he was autistic. He could not hear very well and did not know what was happening. Andrew’s death was the City of San Bernardino’s 14th murder this year. At press time, there had been four more murders in the city during May.
Victory Outreach was the first ministry to respond to this tragedy. They are very active in going into the community to spread the Good News and organized a prayer vigil for family and friends. Thanks to Diocese’s partnership with Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) and local interfaith groups, I was invited to meet with Andrew’s mother and a few family members before the May 1 vigil. I was able to offer Pastoral Care and Trauma Intervention Care that evening. I left these grieving family members with a Tool Kit of information specifically designed by the Diocesan Office of Restorative Justice for Families of Murder Victims.
What did I learn that evening? This is very difficult to put into words. The North Park Elementary shooting was a very public event and received nationwide attention because children were involved. However, when reading and learning that the death of Andrew Martinez was a gang related shooting in a very low income part of town, we have heard nothing about the victim and his disability. Rather, many have assumed Andrew must have been in a gang or known to a gang. So how can we prepare/train others with disabilities in the community to protect themselves? Granted this may not be our job or focus, but the reality is anyone can be a victim in a random crime. As I walked on the sidewalk, I passed people in the neighborhood who share drugs/marijuana on the street. Possible gang members were all around us. Due to the nature of my work, I felt no fear being with a large group, but probably would not have felt the same if I were on my own. There were so many children under the age of 12 in this neighborhood it is clear they will be growing up in a culture of addiction and low economic status.
I learned that this community is a perfect place to be helped by the proposed Common Ground for Peace/Ceasefire program for the City of San Bernardino. Common Ground for Peace is formed by ICUC, several Interfaith clergy and lay leaders in the City of San Bernardino. The purpose is to bring awareness and an end to gun violence in San Bernardino. During the summer months, we will march on the last Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm and will be joined by Mayor Carey Davis, City Manager Mark Scott, City Council members, and police with whom we are collaborating to bring this program to our community.
Ceasefire is an outreach program and was approved by the San Bernardino City Council as a first step on March 6, 2017. The city is currently hiring a full-time Civilian Program Manager and will soon hire a Police Program Manager who will work out of the Mayor’s office analyzing problem areas in the city and working towards strategic planning with the guidance of California Partnership for Safer Communities, which will train and work with the community and clergy leaders. The Common Ground for Peace committee has met with Mayor Davis, Police Chief Jarrod Burguan, and the City Manager and hopes to maintain an active role in the development of this program.
This Diocese is supporting this collaborative community effort to bring healing using a holistic approach and establishing wraparound services with the Department of Mental Health, Probation Department, Job Corp. and others who can offer resources to address the needs of the community.
The tragedy is that vigils like the one for Andrew Martinez are taking place nearly 12 times a month in and around the Diocese. Survivors are left with many questions and few answers. Common Ground for Peace has provided a voice for the community but there is still much to do. We invite you to join us on our next walk, June 29, 2017 beginning at San Bernardino Community Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 1696 N ‘G’ Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410.
You may also get involved by contacting the Office of Restorative Justice to learn more about the Ministry to Families of Murder Victims at (909) 475-5474 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Anna Hamilton is the Associate Director of the Office of Restorative Justice for the Diocese of San Bernardino.