Thunder crackled loudly over the crime scene, muffling the angered speech of nearby friends and relatives of David Martinez and the more measured voices of police officers.
A second later, rain started dripping … and then pouring.
The two groups – the police and the relatives – stepped away from each other, sheltering under nearby awnings to escape the downpour.
Three police officers stood on a covered wooden stairwell of a two-story building. Across from them, a group of nine relatives and friends huddled shoulder-to-shoulder under a small awning of another two-story building. Some people, including Elizondo, went inside the building for some time.
The strong rain deadened the occasional chatter of both groups, but the two groups still exchanged words from time to time.
“Why is he still lying there?” Elizondo said, peeking out of the building’s window. “Why are you standing around? Don’t just stand around … Do something.”
“Thank you for your constructive criticism,” said one of the police officers. “Have another beer.”
As time passed, several detectives with umbrellas showed up at the crime scene and shone flashlights at Martinez’ body and at the ground nearby, scanning the area for evidence.
Several minutes later, two detectives walked over to a group of friends gathered underneath the small awning, trying to find out if anybody saw anything on the street during the shooting.
In the middle of questioning, one of the detectives placed a hand on the back of one man in the group, motioning for him to come with him.
“Why did you tell her to not say anything?” the detective asked him in a frustrated tone, pointing to the man’s teenage daughter who was standing by his side.
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“Relax,” said another detective in response to the rising tension.