Man Charged with Murder After Allegedly Hitting Mother with Shovel and Running Her Over

GALT, California — In Sacramento County, near Galt, a man was detained Thursday on suspicion of killing his mother.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said that 29-year-old John Martinez was arrested and charged with murder. His mother’s identity has not been disclosed, but the sheriff’s office stated that she is 64 years old.

According to Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, Martinez attacked his mother with a shovel and ran her over with a vehicle. Gandhi stated that he attempted to set fire to his mother but was unsuccessful.

Gandhi originally stated that the woman was possibly killed by blunt force trauma.

Deputies arrived at the 11500 block of Alta Mesa Road at 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday. Gandhi claimed that a worker observed a woman lying down on the property and phoned for help. The fire department arrived and contacted the sheriff’s office.

Deputies claimed the woman’s son was inside the house and refused to leave for several hours before being apprehended at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday. The investigation into the homicide is ongoing.

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