Girl killed in Port Orchard police shootout ID'd as 13-year-old Utah runaway

A 13-year-old girl who was killed in Sunday's shootout at a Port Orchard Walmart was identified by the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office on Friday as a runaway from a Salt Lake City foster home.

Astrid Valdivia died of multiple gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Medical Examiner's Office. She was identified through dental records, the State Patrol said.

Valdivia's family previously had said they feared she was the girl killed along with Anthony Martinez, 31, during the shootout with Kitsap County sheriff's deputies.

Two deputies were wounded by Martinez, who was then fatally shot by a third deputy. According to police, Valdivia had run away from her foster home with Martinez on Jan. 18. The nature of their relationship remains unclear.

Deputies went to the Walmart around 3:45 p.m. Sunday after someone inside the store dialed 911 to report seeing a suspicious man outside carrying a gun. Two deputies found the armed man in the store's outdoor designated smoking area, authorities said.

The man ran from deputies. He pulled out a gun and fired behind his back over his shoulder without turning to look where the shots were going, the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said. The two deputies, John Roy Stacy, 50, and Andrew Ejde, 48, have since been released from the hospital, the State Patrol said.

The third deputy, Krista McDonald, 38, then shot and killed Martinez, who died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, the State Patrol said.

Valdivia was wounded when she ran toward Martinez, according to the State Patrol. She was transported to Tacoma General Hospital, where she later died, police said.

The State Patrol said it is waiting for forensic testing of the weapons before determining who shot Valdivia.

McDonald is on paid administrative leave pending the results of the investigation, routine in officer-involved shootings.

Chris Bateman, a spokesman for Valdivia's family, told the Deseret News of Salt Lake City that Martinez was a friend of the girl's mother.

Last fall, the girl ran away with Martinez, leaving a note for her family, Bateman said. The two were found in Sacramento, Calif. The family didn't know the two were in contact until the girl ran away, he said.

After she was returned home, the teen was placed in foster care to keep her from seeing Martinez, Bateman said.

In October, prosecutors in Davis County, Utah, charged Martinez with one count of first-degree felony child kidnapping. He was free on $25,000 bail at the time of the shootout.

Martinez's brother, Barrett Martinez, said his brother was only trying to help the girl, who was going through a difficult time.

"I don't believe that. I think it's a complete lie. He kidnapped this little girl," Bateman said. "She might have gone with him, but I think there was some brainwashing involved."

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com.

Information from The Seattle Times archives is included in this report.