A police pursuit and shootout followed when the robbers armed with three handguns and an AK-47 fled with the hostages in an SUV owned by one of the employees. The two bank employees survived the ordeal by either jumping or getting thrown from the SUV as it sped through town during the hourlong chase. Several patrol cars and up to a dozen homes were struck by gunfire as police and the suspects exchanged fire.
Two of the suspects, identified by police as Alex Gregory Martinez, 27, and Gilbert Renteria Jr., 30, and Holt-Singh were found dead at the end of a final gunbattle. Jaime Ramos has been charged with murder.
Earlier this month, an attorney for Holt-Singh's family filed public records requests with the Stockton Police Department and several other law enforcement agencies for evidence related to the shooting.
The Stockton Record reported:
Citing the California Public Records Act, [attorney Greg] Bentley requested information such as incident reports, records of 911 calls and radio calls, photographs, videos and other evidence documenting the incident as well as protocols for kidnappings, pursuits and the use of deadly force.
"We know a fundamental tenet of law enforcement is protection, and within that there are fundamental principles called 'Priority of Life,' " Bentley said, apparently alluding to standards outlined by the National Tactical Officers Association. "The first priority in all circumstances is: No. 1 hostages, No. 2 bystanders, No. 3 police and No. 4 suspects.
"We know Misty was a hostage inside a vehicle and she was tragically taken, and so we want to see whether or not proper protocol was followed, whether proper systems and protocol were in place, and whether there was proper training and execution. We're asking the department to provide us with the policies, procedures and guidelines that are in place as well as information regarding whether or not the protocol in place was followed or if, perhaps, there were mistakes or a breakdown in communication that occurred, resulting in the tragic death of an innocent hostage."
Investigators say they have linked Martinez to a robbery on Jan. 31 at the same bank branch through surveillance video, witness statements and comparable circumstances.
Police also say they have recovered a dark Buick sedan seen on video dropping off the suspects at the bank. The car had no license plates and had been abandoned in a neighborhood about a 10-minute drive from the bank. Police have been trying to identify the driver.
This post is based on reporting from the Associated Press and Stockton Record.
