Missing man killed in fight over possible car break-in was non-verbal, schizophrenic, police, family says
Martez Dunner’s family was notified of his death hours after they pleaded on social media for help in finding him.
Ethan Parker 
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a deadly shooting that occurred earlier this week in Birmingham. Authorities confirm that 30-year-old Martez Rashad Dunner was fatally shot while allegedly attempting to break into a vehicle.
Tragic circumstances behind a missing person case
Dunner’s family received the heartbreaking news of his passing on Thursday. Their notification came just hours after they had taken to social media to share urgent pleas for help in locating him. According to family members, Dunner was schizophrenic and non-verbal.
The sequence of events
The incident unfolded shortly after 8:55 p.m. on Tuesday in the Roebuck area. East Precinct officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Hyacinth Drive after a resident called 911, reporting that he heard suspicious noise in his front yard. Upon investigating the disturbance, the resident discovered an unfamiliar man at his vehicle.
Officer De’Rell Freeman reported that a physical altercation between the two men broke out, which tragically ended with the resident shooting Dunner. First responders transported Dunner to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:54 p.m.
Investigation status
While police have confirmed the physical struggle, investigators are still working to determine if Dunner was armed during the confrontation. Following the shooting, the resident was held at the Birmingham City Jail for questioning. As of now, no charges have been filed, and he is no longer listed in the city jail’s inmate database.
The death of Martez Rashad Dunner marks the 17th homicide in Birmingham this year. 205focus.com will continue to monitor this developing story as officials release further details.
