Former Texas Southern football player Tyler Martinez dies in shooting

The Texas Southern University community is mourning the loss of former football player Tyler Martinez, who was shot and killed on July 11 in a parking garage just blocks from the university’s campus, according to the Houston Police Department. He was 24 years old.

Martinez, a former defensive lineman for the TSU Tigers, was remembered by the university in a statement earlier this week confirming his death. He played in 26 games during his college career, recording 82 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. He was especially productive during his junior and senior seasons, including a team-high 3.5 sacks in 2021.

The alleged shooter, 22-year-old Isaac Jasper Robinson — a current Texas Southern student — has been charged with murder in connection to the incident.

According to investigators, the confrontation occurred in the parking garage of a Houston apartment complex where both men lived, though police say they did not know each other. The altercation began as a physical fight. During a court appearance, a judge revealed that Martinez had pinned Robinson to the ground during the struggle but eventually stood up and began walking away.

At that point, a woman retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and handed it to Robinson. Robinson then allegedly fired multiple shots at Martinez, killing him at the scene. Robinson initially fled but later returned and admitted to the shooting, police said.

The incident has stunned the TSU community and raised serious concerns about violence near campus. As the investigation continues, friends, family, and former teammates are remembering Martinez not only for his contributions on the field but for the life he was building after football.