Lancaster County, Pa. coroner IDs man killed after shots-fired incident; Cause of death remains under investigation

Victim identified

In a recent release, the Lancaster County Coroner's Office identified the man as Christopher Colon Martinez, 31, of Columbia Borough.

The coroner said police believe Martinez was involved in the shots-fired incident; however, he had no gun-related injuries.

An autopsy performed on Wednesday morning revealed "no suspicious findings," according to the coroner's release.

The cause and manner of Martinez’s death are pending the results of toxicology testing.

https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-columbia-christopher-martinez-found-dead-shots-fired-incident/69685845 

Shots fired incident | Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/incidents/shots-fired-incident-1 

Columbia man sentenced up to 10 years in state prison after pleading guilty to selling enough fentanyl to kill thousands | Lancaster County District Attorney's Office

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/da/11617/post/columbia-man-sentenced-10-years-state-prison-after-pleading-guilty-selling-enough 

Homes, vehicles reportedly shot after incident in Columbia Borough

https://local21news.com/news/local/homes-vehicles-reportedly-shot-after-incident-in-columbia-borough 

Police, coroner called to scene of incident in Columbia Tuesday | Local News | lancasteronline.com

NATHAN WILLISON | Staff Writer

Police and the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office responded to an incident Tuesday morning that shut down the 200 block of Walnut Street in Columbia. 

Residents in the area reported that police shut down Walnut Street at its intersection with North Third Street Tuesday morning after a number of cars and homes were struck by gunfire. A member of the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office was seen arriving in the area. 

William Vandenberg, a resident of the block, told an LNP | LancasterOnline reporter at the scene that he heard multiple people arguing in the street below his home around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday followed by gunfire. 

"I just froze. It was about five of them," said Vandenberg referring to gunshots. "I saw a patrol car pass by later but that was it." 

Vandenberg said he learned from a coworker that police were shutting down his block late Tuesday morning and returned home to find evidence markers just a few steps from his front door. 

"I worry about having my son here," Vandenberg said. "We normally just stay inside. I don't like it, but Columbia just seems to be getting worse and worse." 

Another resident of the block, Misty Musser, said she learned Tuesday morning that the outside of her home was an active crime scene when her roommate called her. 

Musser reported she and her roommate heard banging the night before, but thought at the time it was someone hammering into a wall. 

Musser said at least four of her neighbors' vehicles were struck by gunfire and an unknown number of homes on Walnut Street also were struck. 

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/police-coroner-called-to-scene-of-incident-in-columbia-tuesday/article_a220d7f7-808a-4075-96af-1acf7be335ef.html 

How the Columbia Borough Police Department saved Christmas | fox43.com

https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-county/columbia-borough-police-christmas-message-grinch-arrest/521-378b9d55-b718-4167-8b68-1133f17004a9 

Agenda—Columbia Borough Council Meeting—December 9, 2025

 

Download the meeting packet HERE.