Police identify man killed at Grover Beach strip mall
Police on Tuesday identified a man allegedly murdered early Monday morning at a strip mall in Grover Beach as a 37-year-old resident of the city.
Police said in a Facebook post that the victim has been identified as Andres Martinez of Grover Beach.
Martinez is said to have died of blunt force trauma injuries. An acquaintance, 25-year-old Nicholas Sage Coronado-Watermen, is currently being held at County Jail on suspicion of his murder.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the District Attorney’s Office was still reviewing the case against Coronado-Watermen and no charges had yet been filed in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.
Police received reports of the incident around 12:40 a.m. at a strip mall on Grand Avenue near Oak Park Boulevard Monday morning.
“When the officers arrived, along with sheriff’s deputies who were in the area, they discovered a man that sustained grave injuries that was lying in the parking lot,” Peters told The Tribune.
He was taken to a local hospital where he died of his injuries, Peters said.
Coronado-Watermen, who officials called the sole person of interest, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. Peters said there were witnesses on scene, as well.
“There are no outstanding suspects. An arrest has been made.” Peters said. “The victim, who is in his 30s, knew the suspect, who is in his 20s.”
This is an ongoing investigation, and Peters said police are not releasing a suspected motive at this time.
Coronado-Watermen was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of murder at approximately 12:30 p.m. Monday, according to jail logs. He is currently being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
