Julian Martinez, a 17-year-old student and athlete who attended Stagg High for his freshman year, died on February 1. A vigil was held on Saturday, February 3, to honor his memory, with friends, family, and community in attendance. 

The turnout at the vigil was overwhelmingly supportive, and among the few hundred people in attendance was Stockton Mayor and Stagg’s assistant principal, Christina Fugazi. “There was a lot of love from him. You know, family—you expect family there—but there were tons of people there,” she said. 

The vigil was marked by heartfelt moments, including the release of balloons in honor of Julian, which symbolized the collective grief and love felt by all. “It goes to show that his family, people care about his family, and people cared about him and that they wanted to offer their strength to them during this difficult time,” she said. The gathering highlighted not only the sorrow of losing Julian, but also the strength of a community coming together to support each other in times of loss.

Julian was known for his sense of humor and lightheartedness. His friends described him as someone who always carried good vibes wherever he would go. “He’ll always be remembered as a kid that loves to joke around and have a good time,” says Junior Anthony Morones, a friend of Julian’s.

“I just loved his energy being around him,” said Senior Sebastian Ramirez, who had known Julian since middle school. The two bonded over their shared love for baseball, spending countless afternoons practicing together. “We’re all just a bunch of goofy kids doing the same things, playing baseball.”

In the wake of his passing, Julian’s loved ones have found many ways to honor his memory. On Thursday, February 13th, a special memorial fundraiser—organized by his family—was held with tickets priced at $20 for a plate of pasta and salad.  All of the proceeds went to Julian’s funeral services.

According to a press release from the Stockton Police Department, two suspects—a 16-year-old and a 13-year-old—were arrested last Tuesday in connection with his death.