Memorial grows for Bridgeport man killed in Stratford home shooting

On Friday, some members of the Bridgeport community paid their respects to “Big A” at the Hot Spot Barber Shop that Martinez and his wife, Mari Vargas, opened three years ago on Noble Avenue.

News 12 Staff

Nov 20, 2020, 10:37 PM

Updated 1,422 days ago

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A 37-year-old Bridgeport man has been identified as the fatal shooting victim in a Stratford homicide case, police say.
Police say they learned of a gunshot victim at the hospital Wednesday night, and later identified the man as Anthony Martinez, 37, of Bridgeport.
After speaking with witnesses at the hospital, police headed to a home on Burritt Avenue in Stratford. Neighbors say police were on scene for hours Wednesday and Thursday collecting evidence.
On Friday, some members of the Bridgeport community paid their respects to “Big A” at the Hot Spot Barber Shop that Martinez and his wife, Mari Vargas, opened three years ago on Noble Avenue.
Vargas says that a relative asked Martinez for a ride on Wednesday, and he didn’t hesitate to help. That drive ended with his fatal shooting at 402 Burritt Ave. in Stratford.
"In the blink of an eye, he's just not here,” she told News 12. “I feel like my heart was ripped off my chest… He's my soul mate. He can never be replaced. He's my king of hearts.”
Stratford police say they are interviewing witnesses and have people of interest. There are no arrests yet in the case.
Vargas says she didn't start the growing memorial at the Hot Spot, but the people in the community who wanted to support the family of the man who always supported them.