Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay went to the Lind Commons Apartments in Tucson to serve the eviction and was shot and killed, KOLD News 13 reported. The evicted resident allegedly shot both Martinez-Garibay and the apartment manager before turning the gun on himself, according to the local outlet. It is unclear who the fourth victim is. The Tucson Police Department confirmed that shots were fired at the apartment complex around 11 a.m. and that officers were investigating the shooting as a homicide, but declined to provide further details, including the identities of the victims. Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibai was shot and killed Thursday morning while serving an eviction notice on a Tucson apartment. Arizona spokeswoman Ann Kirkpatrick confirmed that Martinez-Garibay was killed. “I am saddened to hear the news that Pima County Police Officer Deborah Martinez was killed in the line of duty today,” he said in a statement. “Deborah was a great public servant and worthy advocate for veterans, let’s honor her life and commitment to our community.” Martinez-Garibay, an Army veteran and Tucson native, was appointed to the constable position in March. At the time, he said he felt he could make a difference in the role serving the community. “I became a member [the Army] after 9/11, and I just felt it was wrong for me to sit at home when I knew I could contribute,” Martinez-Garibay said, according to the Arizona Daily Star. “It’s the same thing as serving my community, I can see a need.” The constable was one of four people shot at the Lind Commons Apartments.KOLD He said he would approach eviction proceedings with “empathy and humanity,” according to the local newspaper. “When I’m dealing with the people I have to evict, I understand it’s my responsibility, but they’re still people,” Martinez-Garibay said. “Just giving some basic dignity and respect can go so far in helping these people rebuild their lives.” The constable ran an adaptive golf program for veterans called PGA HOPE which she founded after serving 16 years in the military. He also worked with homeless veterans. Tucson police have not named a suspect in the shooting, however, court records show the man who was to be evicted from the Lind Commons apartments this week was Gavin Lee Stansell, the Daily Star reported.
