A crazed gunman who opened fire in the emergency room of Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx two years ago, nearly shooting a mother holding her baby, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Kevel Martinez, 25, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to first-degree assault in the Jan. 25, 2022, shooting that wounded one man and sent dozens of staff and patients fleeing the scene.
“The defendant opened fire in Jacobi Hospital's emergency room, wounding one man and acting with complete disregard for patients and staff, with one bullet lodging in the wall near a woman holding a baby,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said.
“The defendant's violent conduct now carries with it a significant prison sentence.”
Martinez was seen on security cameras wearing a black hoodie and standing at a desk in the emergency room.
The man was seen pulling out a gun and running towards another man while firing multiple rounds.
Investigators said at the time that Martinez fired four shots at the victim, 35, striking him in the left arm.
Other people in the waiting room were forced to take cover under chairs and furniture, while Martinez fled the scene on foot, leaving a blood trail leading back to the victim.
The hospital was temporarily put on lockdown following the shooting and the injured man was taken to an operating room for treatment.
Martinez was arrested about 12 hours later in Harlem, police said.
His location was pinpointed through hospital check-in details, in which he complained of asthma problems.
He was arrested after his sister called 911 to report her brother was acting strangely, hearing voices and had a gun. NBC New York reported.
The victim and Martinez are believed to have known each other.
In addition to serving his 12-year sentence, Martinez will also have to serve five years of post-release supervision.
