Cape & Islands News

Press Conference on Yarmouth Shooting

District Attorney Michael O'Keefe & Yarmouth Chief Michael Almonte face the pre

   Yarmouth Chief Michael Almonte and District Attorney Michael O'Keefe face a large press corps at their news conference at 1pm today.

DA, YPD say victim was traveling at 80-90 mph, had marijuana in mouth

Story & Photographs by Peter Robbins

As the dust begins to settle, more information was just released by District Attorney Michael O'Keefe.

"The deceased was smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette which was still in his mouth as paramedics pulled him from the vehicle to render aid."
    - Michael O'Keefe

At approximately 1:10am after reaching speeds of 80 to 90 mph in a thickly settled area of Baxter Avenue in West Yarmouth, Officer Chris Van Ness, age 34 of the Yarmouth Police Department (formerly of the Harwich Police Department), attempted to stop the suspect's vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle attempted several u-turns to avoid the stop.  After the suspect's vehicle made contact with the patrol car, Officer Van Ness shouted several commands and several shots were fired stopping the vehicle.

First aid was immediately rendered to the victim Andre Martins of Brazil, who had a last known address of 108 Mitchells Way in Hyannis.  An unidentified female passenger was also in the vehicle.  O'Keefe stated, "We are not going to give out her name. She is 25-years-old and the mother of Martins' two children.  She has given a statement to the State Police Investigators and has been and continues to be very cooperative." (The Cape Cod Times reported that Martins’ girlfriend and mother of his children was named Camila Campos, aged 25. She was also in the car at the time of this incident but was not injured despite the suggested speeds).

The DA told the reporters at the press conference that Andre Martins was traveling at between 80-90 mph during the 25 second chase through narrow streets.

As Martins did not have any adult relatives in this country, time was needed to make proper notification through the Brazilian Consulate.  Massachusetts State Police notified his father and brother through the consulate.

A source close to the investigation stated, "The individual was known to us and had been arrested in the past." Officer Van Ness was treated and released yesterday from Cape Cod Hospital for his injuries and is being interview by State Police Detectives presently. As per standard operating procedure, Officer Van Ness remains on administrative leave during the process.

"An autopsy was completed and Martins died from a single gunshot wound to the lung and heart." - O'Keefe (Above, photo of Martins with his daughter)

O'Keefe went on to say, "The deceased was smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette which was still in his mouth as paramedics pulled him from the vehicle to render aid." The case remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney's Office.

O'Keefe added, "An autopsy was completed and Martins died from a single gunshot wound to the lung and heart."

Personal aside by author: Too often many of us try to assume something must be wrong when comments or information is not readily available. Having been in the field of law enforcement for many years, and involved with similar investigations, perception becomes reality in the uninformed person's mind. The press in general tends to focus on what may have been done wrong, rather than what may have been done right. The most difficult decision a police officer every has to make is whether or not to use force.  The ultimate being the use of deadly force. It is a decision that is made in a split second, and is dissected by many for months and sometimes years to come. Our hearts go out to the victim and his family, my heart goes out to the officer and his family as well.

The Yarmouth Police Department is one of the most professional and well-trained agencies on Cape Cod. This unfortunate incident impacts every officer.