Suspect arrested in 'Hell's Gate' murder case

Robert Martinez charged in 2015 shooting death of Steven Cerna

SAN ANTONIO – A Lone Star Fugitives Task Force team arrested a 21-year-old man Friday in connection with a February 2015 murder case.

Robert Martinez was arrested just before noon as he walked along a Westside street, said Officer Doug Greene, a San Antonio police spokesman.

Martinez was questioned and booked into jail for the slaying of Steven Cerna, whose body was found near the 1100 Block of Shadwell Street in a drainage ditch known in the area as "Hell's Gate."

"The exact reasoning behind the murder is still not quite clear," Greene said. "There are some signs of possible gang activity going on in this particular case, although that is still part of the investigation ... we're not going to rule that out."

Greene said Cerna may have known his killer or killers.

Related: Victim's mother: 'They shot him for no reason'

"There was some kind of relationship between the suspect and the victim through a mutual friend," Green said. "I can't go into too much detail about that."

Green said the investigation is ongoing and that police are hoping to make at least two more arrests.

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About the Author:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.