INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Justin Martin of ‘High School Musical 3’ Arrested After Shootout With Police [Video]

By Toni Matthews
Published on: 00:53 PST, Jul 16, 2015

Justin Martin, formerly known as one of the stars of High School Musical 3, was taken into custody following a shootout with police. According to Us Magazine and the Boston Police Department, Martin was observed running down a street in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The time of the incident was approximately 10:16 p.m.

The Wrap reported that police had heard gunfire prior to spotting the former teen star with a weapon. When police pursued Justin, he allegedly turned and aimed a gun at them. Meanwhile, a second male and companion of the actor also turned and pointed a handgun, but he fired multiple shots. Police returned fire but missed both Martin and the second suspect.

Eventually, the 21-year-old was subdued as was his cohort. BPD officials said that they recovered a loaded.22-caliber handgun from Martin and a.25-caliber handgun from the unidentified male, a minor whose identity has not been released.

TMZ reports that Justin Martin was arrested and charged with “unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm — and 2 counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon.” He made his court appearance on Wednesday, during which time he pled not guilty to all charges. Bail was set for $35,000, and Justin’s mother said that she would attempt to post bail for her son.

Justin, who is a Georgia native, is a long way from his previously promising acting career. Martin was known for his appearance in the popular High School Musical series. However, prior to that he’d appeared on shows like Drake & Josh and Cold Case. He had a starring role in the critically acclaimed Denzel Washington movie Flight. Most recently, Justin Martin appeared in an un-aired TV pilot and the movie Brotherly Love.

Martin wasn’t the only celebrity to find himself mixed up in a shootout recently, although he fared much better than the late Randy Howard. Although Justin was confronted by police on the street, Howard was at home when he opened fire on a bondsman named Jackie Shell. Shell went to the home of Howard with a warrant after the country singer failed to appear in court to answer a fourth DUI charge. When Randy started shooting, the bounty hunter said that he returned fire in self-defense. Randy Howard was fatally wounded and died at the scene.

Given the severe nature of the shootout with Boston police, it’s fortunate that no one was harmed.

What do you think about the Justin Martin arrest and charges? Share your thoughts below!

[Image Credit: Mark Davis/Getty Images]

Share this article: Justin Martin of ‘High School Musical 3’ Arrested After Shootout With Police [Video]
More from Inquisitr