Newly released records reveal a 23-year-old U.S. Citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez, was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent in March 2025, an incident that remained largely undisclosed for nearly a year. The shooting, which occurred on South Padre Island, Texas, is now drawing scrutiny as details emerge alongside recent controversies involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The details surfaced this week following a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by American Oversight, a government watchdog group, and were first reported by The Associated Press. The incident predates the deaths of Renee Decent and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which sparked widespread outrage earlier this year, highlighting a pattern of increased use of force by ICE agents, according to internal agency emails.
According to records, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigative arm of ICE, were assisting local police with traffic control near a car crash when a blue Ford approached. Agents reportedly asked the driver to exit the vehicle, and when he allegedly failed to comply, they surrounded the car. The driver then accelerated, striking an HSI agent who was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle. Another agent subsequently opened fire, striking Martinez three times. He was transported to a hospital in Brownsville, Texas, where he was pronounced dead. A passenger in the vehicle, also a U.S. Citizen, was taken into custody.
Details Emerge After Months of Silence
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has characterized the shooting as an act of self-defense, stating the agent fired to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the public after the driver “intentionally” struck an HSI special agent. The injured agent was treated for a knee injury and released from the hospital. DHS has deferred further inquiries to the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety, who are leading the investigation.
Rachel Reyes, Martinez’s mother, stated that her son, who worked at an Amazon warehouse in San Antonio, was on South Padre Island celebrating his 23rd birthday with a childhood friend. She told the Associated Press that an investigator contacted her shortly after the incident, informing her that video footage contradicted the initial account provided by federal agents. “They didn’t give him a chance,” Reyes said, adding, “It’s like they shoot first and ask questions later.”
Investigation Ongoing, Questions Remain
According to Reyes, a state report on the shooting was finalized in October and will be presented to a grand jury for potential criminal charges. However, the Texas Department of Public Safety stated Friday that the investigation remains “ongoing” and declined to provide further details.
The emergence of this case comes amid growing concerns about ICE’s use of force. Internal ICE emails, revealed through the American Oversight documents, indicate that agency officials were aware of a rapid increase in the use of force by immigration agents following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. These incidents, according to The Texas Tribune, were occurring nationwide.
Charles Stam, an attorney representing the Martinez family, confirmed that local media had initially reported the shooting as involving a law enforcement officer and identified the victim as Ruben Martinez. The family has been seeking answers and justice since the incident.
The case raises questions about transparency and accountability within ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. The delayed disclosure of this incident, coupled with the ongoing investigation, underscores the necessitate for greater oversight of federal immigration enforcement practices.
As the investigation continues, the Martinez family awaits a decision from the grand jury and seeks clarity surrounding the circumstances of Ruben’s death. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future investigations involving ICE agents and the use of force.
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