An Albert Lea man who reportedly brought a shotgun into Lou-Rich on Tuesday after he was dismissed from his job earlier that day was charged Thursday in Freeborn County District Court with two counts of threats of violence.

Freeborn County District Court Judge Steven Schwab set conditional bail for Phillip Jonathan Martinez, 37, at $50,000. Unconditional bail is at $200,000.

“This could have been a very bad situation,” Schwab said before setting bail.

Court documents state police were called to Lou-Rich at 12:51 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of a man who had arrived with a gun.

A witness stated Martinez came into the plant with a shotgun on his shoulder and gave the maintenance supervisor a key fob and asked him to give it to his supervisor. Martinez then allegedly said “he had ‘something’ for his supervisor,” whom he referred to by name.

Martinez’s supervisor told police he was nearby when Martinez came in looking for him, though he did not have direct contact with him. The supervisor said he saw Martinez with the shotgun on his shoulder, though Martinez did not see him.

The incident led to the evacuation of some employees to the parking lot across Front Street. Workers from Larson Contracting — in Lou-Rich for construction work — evacuated earlier, after an Albert Lea Police officer entered the building with his weapon drawn and asked them to clear the building.

Court documents state a witness told police he talked to Martinez by telephone shortly after Martinez left the building and just before police came. The witness asked Martinez if he had entered the building with a gun, and he admitted he had. She asked him why he would do that, and he said, “tell (defendant’s supervisor’s last name) that he is on my list” and then hung up, court documents stated. He called back and allegedly said there were going to be repercussions for firing him.

Another employee informed police he had exchanged text messages with Martinez. That employee texted Martinez, “… the rumors are that you are here with a gun,” and Martinez allegedly responded, “Yes, nobody gets away wit (sic) firing me with out it.”

After obtaining a search warrant for Martinez’s home and arriving at the house, police were informed he had returned home after walking into Lou-Rich with the shotgun.

Martinez’s girlfriend reportedly told police while he was in the home, he asked her whether she wanted to go to the “dark side.” He had the shotgun at the time, and she asked him to put it away and encouraged him to turn himself in to police so no one would get hurt.

Court documents state he asked her if she wanted to end it, later stating he would shoot her in the face and then shoot himself. When an officer talked to the woman, she was reportedly visibly upset and couldn’t stop crying and shaking.

Martinez was arrested as he came out of the house on Fountain Street with a shotgun.

Freeborn County Attorney David Walker, who asked for a $200,000 unconditional bail or a $20,000 conditional bail, argued for strict conditions, including electronic alcohol monitoring, checking in with pre-trial services staff five times a week, no firearm possession and no contact with his girlfriend or his former work supervisor, among others.

Walker said the court has indication that Martinez has a history of alcohol abuse and a conviction of alcohol-related offenses, including illegal consumption and driving while intoxicated. He also has had convictions of fourth-degree burglary and obstruction.

An Albert Lea police lieutenant reportedly noticed a heavy odor of alcohol coming from Martinez when he was arrested, Walker said.

Schwab approved Walker’s recommendation with exception of the conditional bail, opting for a higher amount of $50,000. If Martinez posts bail, he will not be allowed to come within two blocks of Lou-Rich or have contact with his former supervisor. He also will not be allowed to contact his girlfriend, use or possess alcohol or drugs, or possess firearms, among other conditions.

Schwab approved Martinez for a public defender, and he is next slated to appear in court Aug. 1.

 

See what happened last night in the PM report here.