In a shocking turn of events that has left the sports world reeling, Marta Xargay Casademont, the wife of WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart, was identified as the victim in a fatal early-morning shooting in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood. The incident unfolded around 9:30 am. at 2020 Dorchester Road, where the 34-year-old former professional basketball player was gunned down in the lobby of an apartment building.
According to NYPD reports, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the residential structure. Upon arrival, they discovered Casademont suffering from a single gunshot wound to the torso. Emergency medical services rushed her to NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, but she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. Authorities have detained a person of interest at the scene, though no charges have been announced as the investigation continues. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a heated argument that escalated over an hour before shots were fired.
Casademont, a retired Spanish sharpshooter who played for the Phoenix Mercury and earned a silver medal with Spain at the 2016 Rio Olympics, leaves behind Stewart and their two young children, Ruby Mae, 3, and Theo Josep, 1. The couple, married since 2021, had built a life in New York after meeting overseas during their playing careers. Stewart, a New York Liberty forward and Olympic gold medalist, was informed of the tragedy during a team practice and immediately left for the hospital, sources close to the family said.
The shooting marks the fourth homicide in Brooklyn’s 70th Precinct this year, a slight uptick from 2024, though overall citywide shootings remain at historic lows. This tragedy hits especially hard amid rising concerns over targeted violence against public figures. Just last year, Casademont and Stewart reported a homophobic death threat to police following the Liberty’s WNBA Finals loss—a chilling email wishing harm upon the family. “Marta was our rock, fierce and loving,” Stewart posted on social media, her words echoing the devastation felt by fans worldwide. “We’re shattered but holding our babies tight.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a statement condemning the violence: “Marta was a trailblazer whose spirit lit up courts everywhere. Our hearts are with Breanna and her family as they navigate this unimaginable loss. We stand ready to support them fully.” Teammates, including Liberty captain Sabrina Ionescu, rallied online with #ForMarta, sharing tributes to her competitive fire and off-court warmth.
As Brooklyn detectives scour surveillance footage and canvass witnesses, the community grapples with grief. A vigil is planned outside the Mercury’s former arena in Phoenix, honoring Casademont’s legacy. In a city that prides itself on resilience, this loss underscores the fragility of life—and the urgent call for an end to gun violence. Stewart’s path forward, once paved with championships, now bears the weight of profound sorrow.
