The morning of November 13, 2024, began like any other in downtown San Diego's bustling courthouse district. Yet, within minutes, the intersection of Union and Ash Streets became the site of a devastating act of violence that left a married couple dead, a police officer injured, and their killer fatally shot.
Rachael Martinez, 31, and her husband, Jose Medina, 39, were ambushed in their parked car, just blocks from the courthouse where they were scheduled to attend a restraining order hearing. The alleged gunman, Christopher Farrell, had been the subject of their legal action, and their efforts to protect their family from his escalating threats had come to a tragic and violent end. The events of that morning not only took their lives but also left their four children, ages 3 to 15, without parents.
Rachael and Jose were a devoted couple, married since 2016. Rachael, a private home caregiver, was known for her warmth and generosity, often hosting family gatherings filled with laughter and homemade meals. Jose, a construction foreman, was described by loved ones as a gregarious and loving father who treated Rachael's two older children as his own.
Their lives began unraveling just months earlier when Rachael ended a brief romantic relationship with Farrell, a 26-year-old former security guard for San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System. What began as a casual relationship in August quickly spiraled into terror. After Rachael broke things off in September, Farrell's behavior became increasingly erratic and ultimately violent. According to court documents, he threatened her, sent harassing messages, called her repeatedly - once 80 times in a single day - and even shared explicit photos with her husband.
On September 30, Farrell threatened to come to Martinez's home, prompting her to meet him at his apartment. Once there, she said he attacked her, handcuffing and sexually assaulting her before finally letting her go. She reported the incident to police days later, sought medical treatment for her injuries, and was granted a temporary restraining order. Farrell was arrested on October 4, fired from his job, and had his work-issued firearm confiscated.
That morning, Rachael and Jose parked just blocks from the courthouse, likely preparing for what they hoped would be a critical step toward peace and safety. Instead, their lives were violently cut short. Around 8:20am, just 30 minutes before they were to appear before a judge, Farrell ambushed them as they sat in their car. Witnesses described him firing multiple rounds before fleeing the scene on foot. Jose was shot multiple times in the torso; Rachael was struck in the head. Both died at the scene.
Their lives began unraveling just months earlier when Rachael ended a brief romantic relationship with Farrell, a 26-year-old former security guard for San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System. What began as a casual relationship in August quickly spiraled into terror. After Rachael broke things off in September, Farrell's behavior became increasingly erratic and ultimately violent. According to court documents, he threatened her, sent harassing messages, called her repeatedly - once 80 times in a single day - and even shared explicit photos with her husband.
On September 30, Farrell threatened to come to Martinez's home, prompting her to meet him at his apartment. Once there, she said he attacked her, handcuffing and sexually assaulting her before finally letting her go. She reported the incident to police days later, sought medical treatment for her injuries, and was granted a temporary restraining order. Farrell was arrested on October 4, fired from his job, and had his work-issued firearm confiscated.
However, Farrell’s personal firearm - a .40 caliber Sig Sauer he purchased before legally changing his name in 2022 - was never confiscated. Despite Martinez informing authorities that Farrell had another gun, police did not search his residence. The decision not to act was based on a lack of immediate evidence connecting the gun to the assault and an assertion that Martinez did not express fear of being shot.
Police records show that Farrell posted bail the day after his arrest. Martinez and Medina filed restraining orders, seeking to prevent Farrell from contacting them or their children. By November 12, the day before the shooting, prosecutors dropped the criminal case against Farrell due to "insufficient evidence and corroboration." The restraining order hearing, originally scheduled for October 11, had been delayed to November 13.
Police records show that Farrell posted bail the day after his arrest. Martinez and Medina filed restraining orders, seeking to prevent Farrell from contacting them or their children. By November 12, the day before the shooting, prosecutors dropped the criminal case against Farrell due to "insufficient evidence and corroboration." The restraining order hearing, originally scheduled for October 11, had been delayed to November 13.
That morning, Rachael and Jose parked just blocks from the courthouse, likely preparing for what they hoped would be a critical step toward peace and safety. Instead, their lives were violently cut short. Around 8:20am, just 30 minutes before they were to appear before a judge, Farrell ambushed them as they sat in their car. Witnesses described him firing multiple rounds before fleeing the scene on foot. Jose was shot multiple times in the torso; Rachael was struck in the head. Both died at the scene.
| Farrell fleeing the scene on November 13, 2024 |
Farrell, armed with a semi-automatic handgun, reloaded and ran, leaving a trail of chaos. A passerby spotted him hiding behind an electrical box in Little Italy about an hour later. When officers approached, Farrell opened fire, hitting one officer in the hip and striking a patrol car. In the ensuing shootout, police shot Farrell multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after. At the scene, authorities recovered the Sig Sauer, three loaded magazines, folding knives, and other tactical equipment.
The officers involved in the November 13 shooting have been identified as Corporal Jason Day and Officer Alexander Kahn of the Harbor Police Department. The officer injured during the incident has been identified as Officer Patrick Lynch, who joined the Harbor Police Department in September 2024 after serving with the San Diego Police Department for about a year. Officer Lynch, currently in field training on patrol, did not discharge his weapon during the incident.
The officers involved in the November 13 shooting have been identified as Corporal Jason Day and Officer Alexander Kahn of the Harbor Police Department. The officer injured during the incident has been identified as Officer Patrick Lynch, who joined the Harbor Police Department in September 2024 after serving with the San Diego Police Department for about a year. Officer Lynch, currently in field training on patrol, did not discharge his weapon during the incident.
Rachael and Jose's deaths leave a gaping hole in their family. Their four children, now orphaned, are being cared for by Martinez's sister, Charlene. The youngest children, ages 3 and 5, attended the Barrio Logan Development Center, where their parents were remembered for their involvement and care. Family members have rallied around the kids, but their grief is palpable. At a vigil held near the shooting site, loved ones described the couple's devotion to each other and their children, emphasizing that their deaths were preventable.
Farrell's violent escalation and the system's inability to protect Martinez and Medina highlight critical flaws in addressing domestic violence and restraining order enforcement. Despite clear evidence of Farrell's threats and violence, he remained armed and free to act. His legal name change, which allowed him to obscure ownership of his firearm, went unnoticed by authorities. The restraining order, meant to provide protection, was ultimately insufficient.Ìý
The case also raises questions about the decision not to pursue criminal charges for the sexual assault. Police cited a lack of corroborating evidence, but Farrell’s pattern of harassment and violence was well-documented. The failure to act decisively gave Farrell the opportunity to carry out his deadly plan.
Nearly half of all women murdered in the United States are killed by a current or former intimate partner, with firearms playing a significant role in these killings. Martinez’s fears, expressed in her restraining order filings, were realized in the most tragic way. Her death and that of her husband underscore the urgent need for systemic reform to protect victims of domestic violence more effectively.
The San Diego community has rallied to support the couple's children. A has been launched to help cover funeral expenses and provide for the children’s needs. The Chicano Federation, where the youngest children attended daycare, has also to assist the family in funeral costs. However, the loss is irreplaceable - a stark reminder of the cost of inaction.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl acknowledged the emotional toll of the incident, stating, "We are filled with a lot of emotion - empathy for the victims, gratitude that this wasn’t worse, and resolve to find answers."
While the police response during the shootout may have prevented further harm, it offers little solace to a grieving family and a city questioning how such a tragedy was allowed to happen.
Seeking Change
Rachael and Jose's story is one of love, resilience, and a desperate fight for safety that ended in heartbreak. Their deaths leave a haunting question: How many more families must suffer before the system prioritizes protection over procedure? For now, their story stands as a heartbreaking example of what can happen when warnings go unheeded and threats are underestimated.
As the community mourns, their loss serves as a call to action - to ensure no other family endures the same tragic fate.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl acknowledged the emotional toll of the incident, stating, "We are filled with a lot of emotion - empathy for the victims, gratitude that this wasn’t worse, and resolve to find answers."
While the police response during the shootout may have prevented further harm, it offers little solace to a grieving family and a city questioning how such a tragedy was allowed to happen.
Seeking Change
Rachael and Jose's story is one of love, resilience, and a desperate fight for safety that ended in heartbreak. Their deaths leave a haunting question: How many more families must suffer before the system prioritizes protection over procedure? For now, their story stands as a heartbreaking example of what can happen when warnings go unheeded and threats are underestimated.
As the community mourns, their loss serves as a call to action - to ensure no other family endures the same tragic fate.
Originally published on November 19, 2024.Ìý
