Fundraiser for Assaulted Argia

Three persons have been arrested by Fairfax Police in conjunction with the baseball-bat assault on Elio Martinez, 26, a cook at Falls Church’s popular Argia’s Restaurant. The incident, reported in last week’s News-Press, occurred in Bailey’s Crossroads late Monday, Aug. 13, and Martinez remains in critical condition in a coma at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Martinez worked as a preparation and pasta cook at Argia’s since its opening seven years ago. He has no immediate family in the area. Adam Roth, co-owner of Argia’s, is organizing a fundraiser to support Martinez, his medical costs and recovery. No date is yet scheduled, but Roth said it will be in early September. Roth characterized Martinez as “an outstanding employee, dependable, hard working, did whatever was asked for and more, a team player.” Arrested in conjunction with the assault have been Fredy Adiel Ramos, 20, Juan Natael Diaz, 19, both of Argyle Road in Bailey’s Crossroads where the assault took place, and a 16-year-old Falls Church area youth. They have been charged with aggravated malicious wounding. According to Fairfax Police, “Detectives are confident they have apprehended all the suspects in this case.”