Tyler Martinez, a 24-year-old former Texas Southern University football player, was shot and killed Friday night, July 11, during a dispute at an apartment complex parking garage in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred at approximately 8:15 p.m. at the Mac 4660 Apartments on South MacGregor Way at Calhoun, about one mile from the TSU campus.
Isaac Jasper Robinson, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Martinez’s death. Robinson, a sophomore at Texas Southern University who worked as a security guard, lived in the same apartment complex as Martinez.
According to court documents and witness testimony, the altercation began as a physical fight between the two men in the parking garage. During the struggle, Martinez had pinned Robinson to the ground. A woman associated with Robinson retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and handed it to him. As Martinez appeared to withdraw from the conflict and began walking away, Robinson allegedly fired multiple rounds, striking Martinez three times in the torso.
Martinez was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Houston Fire Department, despite attempts to save his life. Robinson initially fled the scene but later returned and confessed to the shooting, according to police reports.
Robinson was arrested at the scene and booked into the Harris County Jail. He made his first court appearance on Saturday, July 12, where prosecutors requested a $250,000 bond. Robinson’s defense attorney requested a $75,000 bond, citing his client’s lack of criminal history and employment status.
Judge Veronica M. Nelson ultimately set Robinson’s bond at $150,000, though some sources reported varying amounts. The conditions of his potential release include GPS monitoring, a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and restrictions on possession of weapons, drugs, and alcohol. Robinson must also remain within Harris County or adjacent counties.
The role of the woman who provided the firearm to Robinson remains under investigation by police. Her identity has not been released, and it is unclear what charges, if any, she may face in connection with the incident.
Martinez, a Houston native, played four seasons for the TSU Tigers football team from 2019 to 2023 as a defensive tackle. Standing six feet three inches tall and weighing 283 pounds, he recorded 57 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for a loss during 20 appearances throughout his college career. He played under head coach Clarence McKinney during his time at the university.
Before his college career, Martinez was a standout athlete at Humble High School in Texas. The Bluebloods network had recognized him as a significant player, with analysts calling him “the best DT in the SWAC,” reflecting his impact on the field during his college years.
The Houston Police Department described the incident as a “parking garage dispute” that escalated into deadly violence. It remains unclear whether Martinez and Robinson knew each other before the altercation or if this was their first encounter.
Court records indicate that Robinson was a full-time student at Texas Southern University while working for a local security company. However, it is unclear whether he was stationed at the Mac 4660 Apartments complex in any professional capacity at the time of the incident.
The shooting has deeply affected the TSU community and Houston’s HBCU sports circles. Martinez had completed his football career in 2023, and his former teammates and coaches remembered him as a dedicated athlete who made significant contributions to the program during his four-year tenure.
Texas Southern University is a historically black college and university that competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The football program, which finished with a 3-8 record during Martinez’s final season in 2023, has since improved to a 5-6 finish in 2024 under current head coach Cris Dishman.
The investigation into Martinez’s death continues, with authorities working to determine the complete circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. The incident occurred just blocks away from Martinez’s alma mater, where he had spent four years developing his athletic career before his life was cut short.
