Former Texas Southern DT Tyler Martinez killed in shooting over weekend

Tyler Martinez, who played four years of college football at Texas Southern, was killed on Friday night in a “parking garage dispute,” the victims family confirmed to ABC 13 Eyewitness News. He was reportedly shot multiple times, resulting in his death.

Isaac Jasper Robinson, 22, was charged with murder in connection to Martinez’ death after police said that he returned to the scene of the crime. Court records show that Robinson and Martinez got into a fight before a gun was brought the mix. Martinez was shot three times.ABC 13 confirmed that both Martinez and Robinson lived in the same apartment complex where the incident occurred in Houston, Texas.

Martinez, 24, played his final season of college football in 2023 as a defensive tackle. He played his high school ball at Humble (Tx) High School.

Robinson has since appeared in Harris County Probable Cause Court and has since formally been charged with first-degree felony murder. Additional details on the incident have since been revealed.

“The court heard that during a fight, a woman associated with Robinson retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and handed it to him. Witnesses stated that as the physical struggle ended, Martinez appeared to have withdrawn from the conflict. Robinson then allegedly fired three shots into Martinez’s torso, resulting in his death,” per Houston Stringer.

Judge Veronica M. Nelson set his bond at $100,000. Additional stipulations for Robinson’s release includes a curfew, GPS monitoring and other recreational restrictions. He was also ordered to remain within Harris County, or the surrounding counties, if he makes bond. Robinson is currently enrolled as a sophomore at Texas Southern University.

Texas Southern is a Division II football program, and a HBCU that plays their football in the SWAC. During Martinez’s final season with the program, the Tigers finished with a 3-8 overall record. In 2024, they improved slightly with a 5-6 finish.

The Tigers will kick off the 2025 college football season against Prairie View A&M during Week 1 on Aug, 30. They will also have matchups against the likes of Cal during Week 2 — their toughest (and only Division I) matchup of the upcoming season.

Cris Dishman, who was named the 18th head football coach in the history of Texas Southern football last offseason, begins his second season at the helm. He’ll look to lead his team to greater heights during the 2025 college football season.