A landlord from Texas, Joshua A. Ford, 37, has been arrested and charged with the murder of his former tenant, Michael Obryan Martin, also 37. Martin was discovered dead from a gunshot wound in a San Antonio residence in December 2022. Ford, who was present at the scene, reportedly confessed to the shooting but claimed it was an act of self-defense.
The incident occurred during a final inspection of a property owned by Ford, from which Martin had recently moved out. An unnamed witness was present during the inspection on the afternoon of December 7, 2022, when Martin arrived unexpectedly. The two men then engaged in a heated argument over unpaid rent.
According to the arrest report, Martin had ceased paying rent two months prior to his eviction by Ford. After vacating the property, Ford instructed Martin to return his key. Martin arrived during the inspection, which took place approximately a month after his departure.
The argument over the outstanding rent escalated as the men moved through the house, eventually ending up in a utility room. Ford claimed to the police that Martin seemed to be reaching for a weapon, which led him to act in self-defense and allegedly shoot Martin twice, with one bullet striking him in the face.
Following the shooting, Ford reportedly unloaded the weapon and placed it on a kitchen island before dialing 911. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ford on Wednesday, charging him with murder. He is currently being held in the Bexar County Jail without bond.