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Borderland Crimes, Podcast 16: Abduction at an ATM – The Murder of Sophia Martinez

sophia martinez sr pic
El Paso District Clerk
Sophia Martinez's senior photo, 2000
GECU ATM SOPHIA MARTINEZ
El Paso District Clerk
The surveillance camera at the GECU ATM caught Sophia Martinez, 18, withdrawing money moments before she was ambushed on March 10, 2000.
GECU GUNMAN1
El Paso District Clerk

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Sophia Martinez, 18, headed out on a blind date on a Friday night in March 2000. But she never made it to the dance club in downtown El Paso. Sophia’s body was found in the desert just north of the city limits the following day; she had been shot numerous times. The only clue to what happened was a grainy ATM surveillance video showing someone shooting her while she pulled cash. The man in a black beanie then climbed into her car and forced her to drive off at gunpoint. The months that followed were a terrifying time for her family as well as the community, as the killer remained at large. Police managed to track down her killer when a witness could no longer keep the dark secret.

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Stephanie Valle

Stephanie Valle co-anchors ABC-7 at 5, 6 and 10 weeknights.

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