GALVESTON — Galveston residents called for accountability and transparency during Thursday’s City Council meeting, raising concerns about the fatal May shooting of Randy Martin involving Galveston police Officer Nino de Guzman.

Several public commenters addressed city leaders, questioning police department leadership, the handling of the shooting and what they described as a need for greater transparency.

One of the first speakers questioned who was leading the Galveston Police Department and argued that department leadership should have identified what the speaker characterized as excessive force.

“Where is the accountability?” Reba Rodriguez asked.

Rodriguez emphasized that her concerns were not directed at law enforcement as a whole, saying, “We are not against law enforcement, let me make that clear.”

She also argued that officers should be held to the same legal standards as other members of the public.

“Wearing a badge should never place anyone above the law,” Rodriguez said. “Justice should never depend on who has a uniform on.”

Rachel Arnelis also spoke about the impact of Martin’s death on his family and the broader community.

“We as mothers should never watch our children leave before us,” Arnelis said, adding that Martin had been murdered.

Paula Martin, who also addressed the council, spoke about her family, her background in emergency response and the circumstances surrounding her son’s death.

“I came here first to give God honor,” Martin said.

She told council members that she had spent 68 years dedicated to the hospital and emergency response team. She also described how Martin’s father, a Marine, had taught him how to respond during a traffic stop involving police.

Martin said she was not motivated by hatred but wanted the community to be able to live without fear.

“I am not here in hate, that solves nothing,” she said. “We are here to take back our island, it belongs to the people.”

Martin also urged city leaders not to allow the circumstances surrounding her son’s death to go unaddressed.

“I cannot sit here and let it continue or sweep it so simply under the rug,” she said.

She closed her remarks by expressing her love for Galveston and challenging council members to respond to the concerns raised by residents.

“You ask us to come here and say something, now it is your turn,” Martin said.

Other commenters raised questions about de Guzman’s prior use of deadly force. One unidentified speaker alleged the officer had been involved in two previous shootings during the preceding three years, bringing the total to three with Martin’s death.

Another commenter questioned why the officer had been named Officer of the Year, while a separate speaker alleged misconduct involving vacation and time records. Those allegations were also not independently verified.

“The world is here looking at you,” one commenter told city leaders.

Leonard Lewis appealed to council members to act according to their principles.

“I want to remind you what righteousness is, please do what you know is right, the Father sees all,” Lewis said.

Throughout the public comments, speakers repeatedly called for justice, transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Martin’s death.

“We want justice and we want transparency,” one commenter said.