VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Selitha Saucier witnessed something nobody should have to see. On June 23, 2017, her son, Isaiah Martin, was shot and killed on the front porch of his family’s home.
Saucier saw the entire thing and is now waiting to see someone held responsible for her son’s death.
It’s not hard for Saucier to describe her son. She said, “He could always find some kind of laughter and joy in anything.”
However, describing his death is traumatic.
The day before his 19th birthday, Martin was shot and killed on the front porch of his family’s home in Virginia Beach.
Saucier says she and Martin were sitting on the porch when a car drove by. Someone inside fired shots.
“Everthing started happening so fast,” said Saucier. “My son didn’t move fast enough, so he ended up being shot three times.”
Saucier wasn’t hurt, but the memory is burned into her mind.
“When he fell, he turned and looked and said ‘I’ve been hit’,” she said. “I see it everyday and then I always think about not getting the justice that he deserved.”
Two men were arrested for Martin’s death, but the charges against them were withdrawn. The Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office says it’s because of insufficient evidence. However, that could change, if new evidence comes out.
“I want to see my son’s killers brought to justice,” said Saucier.
She believes fear is holding people back.
“They didn’t have enough courage to speak on what honestly happened,” she said. “We have a bunch of scared people, scared of retaliation.”
So she will continue her fight for justice, holding on to the part of her son that remains: Martin’s daughter and namesake, Izabella.
“When I look at her, she’s definitely his twin,” said Saucier. “I’m happy that I have a piece of him.”
Martin’s daughter Izabella will turn three in August. As always, if you have information that could help in this case, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.