Landlord shot tenant during apartment inspection
Background: News footage at the scene where Michael Martin was found dead in December 2022 (KSAT). Inset (left): Joshua A. Ford (Bexar County Sheriff's Office). Inset (right): Michael Obryan Martin (Carter-Taylor-Williams Mortuary).
Authorities in Texas have charged a landlord with murder following a long-running dispute with a former tenant.
Joshua A. Ford, 37, was taken into custody Wednesday in connection with the 2022 shooting death of 37-year-old Michael Obryan Martin. Martin was discovered inside a San Antonio residence in December of that year, fatally wounded by a gunshot. According to an arrest report cited by local CBS affiliate KENS, Ford spoke with officers soon after the incident and acknowledged firing the shot that killed Martin, though he claimed he acted in self-defense.
Investigators say Martin had recently vacated a property owned by Ford. On December 7, 2022, Ford was performing a final walk-through with another individual when Martin unexpectedly arrived, leading to a confrontation over unpaid rent. Records indicate Martin had stopped paying rent for two months prior to being evicted. After the move-out, Ford told Martin he would need to return to hand over his key, and Martin showed up during the inspection about a month later.
The argument escalated as the men moved through the home and eventually into a utility room. Ford told police that Martin appeared to reach for a weapon, prompting him to respond in what he described as self-defense. He allegedly fired twice, with one round striking Martin in the face. Ford said he then unloaded his firearm, set it on the kitchen island, and called 911.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ford on Wednesday. He has been charged with murder and is being held in the Bexar County Jail without bond.
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