Police identify man slain near Chasco Fiesta events

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Police are trying to piece together the events Saturday night that led to the shooting death of Joseph James Martell of Homosassa.

According to a police report, Martell, 34, got into an argument with 46-year-old Max Wesley Horn Jr. near the front door of Hot Shotz bar and grill downtown just before 10 p.m. Dozens of people were nearby, attending Chasco Fiesta events.

As the argument escalated, the report said, Horn pulled a gun from beneath his shirt and fired several times at Martell, who was unarmed. Horn ran, the report said, but witnesses chased him and held him until police arrived.

As he was being handcuffed, the report said, Horn told officers, "He's been asking for it for a long time. He's been stalking my sister."

New Port Richey Assistant Police Chief Darryl Garman said he didn't have any more information about Horn's statement or how the two men knew each other.

"We're still putting pieces together," Garman said.

Horn, of 5514 Oceanic Road in Holiday, is charged with first-degree murder. He was being held in the Pasco County jail Monday without bail.

--Molly Moorhead, Times staff writer