- 70-year-old Michael Burke is accused of fatally shooting Martin Lucas, a 40-year-old immigrant worker, during a confrontation on March 16, 2026.
- Burke allegedly approached Lucas's vehicle with a shotgun as he and a coworker were leaving a landscaping job.
- A bystander captured video evidence of the incident, showing Burke threatening Lucas before the shooting occurred.
- Burke has pleaded not guilty to several felony charges and is currently held without bail, facing up to 75 years to life in prison if convicted.
FALLBROOK, Calif. — In the second high-profile confrontation involving landscapers in recent weeks, 70-year-old caretaker Michael Burke appeared in court Thursday. Burke is accused of a fatal shooting that claimed the life of Martin Lucas and left another man hospitalized, an act for which he has pleaded not guilty to several felony charges.
The shooting took place on Monday evening, March 16, 2026, on East Mission Road. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, the victims were leaving a landscaping job when they were confronted by Burke.
The Confrontation and Video Evidence
Family members identified the deceased as Martin Lucas, a 40-year-old father of four and an immigrant worker from Guatemala. Lucas was in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck with his coworker, Julio Leon, when Burke allegedly approached the vehicle with a shotgun.
A bystander’s video, which has circulated on social media, shows a tense exchange. In the footage, Burke is heard yelling, “You want to die today? I will kill you right now.” The video appears to show Burke thrusting the barrel of the shotgun through the passenger-side window. A struggle for the weapon ensued, followed by a single gunshot. After the shot, the truck rolled slowly downhill and crashed into nearby bushes. Lucas died at the scene, while Leon was treated for serious injuries and later released.
Potential Hate Crime Investigation
While Burke has not been charged with a hate crime at this point, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office stated the investigation is ongoing. Family members and neighbors have alleged that Burke had a history of making racist comments toward workers in the area.
“That guy had no heart killing him,” said Martina Lucas, the victim’s 19-year-old daughter. “My dad was a nice, hardworking man. We just want justice for him.”
Defense and Next Steps
A longtime acquaintance of Burke expressed surprise at the allegations, describing him as a non-aggressive person who may have believed he was protecting the property from trespassers. However, the District Attorney’s Office emphasized that they have charged the crimes they currently have the evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
Burke is being held without bail at the San Diego County Jail. He is scheduled to return to court for a follow-up hearing on March 27. If convicted on all counts, he faces a potential sentence of 75 years to life in prison.
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