Woodland man dies after being shot in New Year’s Eve fight

A man died early Friday after being shot during a fight at a New Year’s Eve party in Woodland, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.

A bulletin from the sheriff’s office said Daryl Lee Martinez, 27, was shot and later died at about 1 a.m. at a house on 143 Whalen Road.

There were more than 20 people attending a New Year’s Eve party at the house when a fight broke out between several people. The homeowner tried, but failed, to stop the fight. It’s unclear what started the fight or what the nature of the dispute was.

The victim, Martinez, at one point left the party then returned, armed with a gun. Martinez reported waved the gun and pointed it at someone, threatening to shoot one of the other people at the party, according to the bulletin.

Gage Hess, a 22-year-old resident of the house, shot Martinez, according to the bulletin. The sheriff’s office would not say if Martinez died as a result of being shot, however.

“The cause and manner of death will be determined by the coroner after an autopsy has been completed, which will happen in a few days,” the bulletin said.

No arrests have been made and deputies are still investigating, according to the sheriff’s office.

“It is confusing, only in the sense that there’s a lot of people that had slightly different versions of the event,” Chief Criminal Deputy Charlie Rosenzweig said.

Anyone who may have been at the party who hasn’t spoken to the sheriff’s office is urged to call 360-577-3092 and file a report with Deputy Cory Robinson.