Elijah Martinez Arrested In Murder Of 15-Year-Old Wayli Gonzalez
DENVER (CBS4) - Police in Denver say the suspect wanted in connection with the death of Wayli Gonzalez, 15, has been arrested. Elijah Israel Martinez, 18, was taken into custody on Thursday about 12:30 p.m. after he turned himself in to authorities.
Martinez is being held for investigation of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Gonzalez was attacked in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven store at Sheridan Boulevard and Jewell Avenue on New Year's Day.
UPDATE: Elijah Martinez was taken into custody, today, January 9, 2020, at approximately 12:30 p.m., after turning himself into the Denver Police Department. Martinez is being held for investigation of First Degree Murder and Attempted First Degree Murder. #Denver
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) January 9, 2020
Through an interpreter, Wayli's mother Orvelina Gonzalez said her family doesn't know Martinez.
"I started crying for him too because he's ruined his future, and he took away the future of my son too," she told CBS4's Dominic Garcia.
Gonzalez says her son was a smart kid who loved life.
"Everywhere went he left a print in everybody's life. He was very kind, respectful, very sweet," she told CBS4.
Wayli's funeral is scheduled for Jan. 13. His body will then be sent to Guatemala where he was from.