Fredrick Martin dies while shielding son from gunfire

6:32 PM, Apr 10, 2012   |    comments
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By Melissa McCarty

Inglewood, CA (KCAL/KCBS/CNN) - The family of a man shot to death in Inglewood, California while shielding his young son from gunfire is pleading for help to find his killers.

His relatives are offering a $10,000 reward.

Fredrick Martin's family stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Inglewood police and the mayor, with a common goal to catch his killers.

"I love my brother will all of my heart, and there's nothing more that I want right now than to catch the people who did this and caused this much pain for me and my family," said his sister, Micharri Pratts.

Martin's best friend has a broken ankle from a bullet and a broken heart after witnessing Martin die while shielding his son from a hail of gunfire.

It happened on 109th as the three cleaned out Martin's garage. Two gunmen walked up, fired, and ran off.

Micharri's father, Michael Pratts, put up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest.

"I've known Fred since he was a young child, he's a hero," said Michael.

Police still have no leads on the killers or their motive. The murder hit home for Inglewood Mayor James Butts, who has known Martin since he was a child and is friends with his mother.

"He was a big support to the family. He is a caring, loving person, and her words to me were without Fred, I don't know. Let's just say he was a good son," said Mayor Butts.

Martin's childhood friends and co-workers at Kaiser Hospital opened an account on WePay.com to gather donations for his son. Their goal is to reach $25,000 dollars.

Martin's widow, Amanda, is expecting their second child.

KCAL/KCBS/CNN