Officer of Year in Deadly Galveston Traffic Shooting

Galveston police officer Joshua Nino fatally shot 47-year-old Randy Martin during a traffic stop on Monday, May 18, 2026, near 55th Street and Avenue O, according to police and local news reports. The shooting happened at about 3:45 p.m. in the 1700 block of 55th Street, and Martin later died at the UTMB Emergency Department, the Galveston Police Department said. (khou.com) Police have released few details about the encounter, saying only that Martin became combative during the stop. The case is now being investigated by the Texas Rangers and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, and Nino has been placed on modified duty. ### Which officer was involved in the shooting? Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli confirmed on Thursday that the officer was Joshua Nino, KHOU reported. (houstonpublicmedia.org) KHOU said Nino is vice president of the Galveston Municipal Police Association and had recently been recognized by the group as a “50-Club Officer of the Year.” February brought earlier public attention for Nino when he was credited with helping save a 12-year-old girl who had been kidnapped and taken to a motel, according to KHOU. That prior recognition has drawn additional attention to his role in this week’s shooting. ### What have police said happened during the traffic stop? The Galveston Police Department said the shooting began with a traffic stop at about 3:45 p.m. (khou.com) Monday on 55th Street. According to police, an officer fired his weapon during the stop and wounded the driver, who was taken to UTMB Emergency Department and later died. KHOU identified the man who was killed as Randy Martin, 47, and reported that police said he became combative during the stop. (khou.com) Officials have not publicly said whether Martin was armed, what prompted the stop, or what specific actions led the officer to open fire. ### What is still not public about the case? (khou.com) Police have not released body-camera footage, dash-camera video, or a fuller narrative of the confrontation. Galveston police also have not publicly detailed how many shots were fired, whether any passengers were detained, or whether any weapon was recovered from Martin or the vehicle, based on the accounts published so far. Chief Balli said in a department release, “Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this incident.” He added that police would provide more information when it could be released without compromising the investigation. (houstonpublicmedia.org) ### Who is investigating the shooting? (khou.com) The Texas Rangers and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office are conducting the investigation, the police department said. That arrangement follows the department’s announcement that the officer involved was removed from regular duty status and placed on modified duty while the inquiry proceeds. Thursday brought the first public confirmation from Balli that Nino was the officer involved, according to KHOU. (khou.com) The department has not announced a timeline for releasing additional evidence or findings. ### What happens next in the case? The next public steps are likely to come from the Texas Rangers, the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, or the Galveston Police Department as investigators complete witness interviews and review available evidence. (houstonpublicmedia.org) As of Thursday, May 21, 2026, Nino remained on modified duty and the investigation was ongoing, with no charging decision or public presentation of evidence yet announced. (khou.com)