SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – A young man accused of involvement in the murder of a homeless man at Bonita Cove Park in Mission Bay is now ordered to face trial on a murder charge. Daniel Ruben Martin, 19, is facing allegations related to the death of 65-year-old Michael Shook, who was brutally stabbed three times and beaten during the early hours of July 5.
Martin, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was apprehended alongside a 17-year-old boy in connection to the homicide. While Martin is being tried as an adult, the other defendant is undergoing juvenile proceedings in the case.
During testimony at a preliminary hearing in San Diego Superior Court, it was revealed that the juvenile allegedly stabbed Shook, while both defendants were believed to have participated in beating the victim. San Diego police Detective Chris Bernard disclosed that Martin confessed to elbowing Shook multiple times in the face and kicking him in the ribs during the attack.
According to Deputy District Attorney Shane Waller, investigators uncovered Shook’s pants, which were discovered near his body with one of his shoes entangled inside. This suggested the pants had been forcibly removed after the stabbing. When questioned about the pants, Martin reportedly admitted to removing them and callously remarked, “We thought it would be cool.”
Differing accounts were provided by both teens during interviews with detectives. Martin claimed an argument between his friend and Shook escalated into violence, while the juvenile alleged that Martin and Shook were the ones involved in an initial altercation that turned deadly.
Defense attorney Amy Balfe argued that her client was unfairly held accountable for his friend’s actions. She contested that provocation may have stemmed from Shook, noting that the knife used in the killing was actually owned by the victim. Balfe also drew attention to a witness account indicating Shook had been attacked by a group of six individuals earlier in the night, potentially explaining some of his injuries sustained during that prior event.