U.S. Citizen’s Death by Federal Agent Sparks Transparency Concerns

WASHINGTON — Newly released records reveal a U.S. Citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot and killed in Texas by a federal immigration agent last year during a late-night encounter. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not publicly disclose the shooting, raising questions about transparency and accountability.

Details of the Shooting

The shooting occurred on March 15, 2025, on South Padre Island, Texas, during an immigration enforcement operation conducted in conjunction with local police. According to an internal two-page ICE incident report obtained by American Oversight, a nonprofit watchdog group, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers were assisting South Padre Island police by redirecting traffic after a vehicle accident.

The report states that a blue Ford approached the officers, who ordered the driver to stop. After initially not responding, the driver stopped the vehicle. Agents then instructed those inside to exit, but the driver “accelerated forward,” striking an HSI special agent who was then on the hood of the vehicle. A supervisory special agent then fired multiple shots through the driver’s side window, and the vehicle stopped. Martinez was pronounced dead at a regional hospital in Brownsville, Texas. The passenger, also a U.S. Citizen, was taken into custody.

The HSI officer struck by the vehicle was treated for a knee injury and released.

Delayed Disclosure and Investigation

Though Martinez’s death was reported by local media at the time, federal and state authorities did not disclose the involvement of the HSI team. DHS stated on Friday, February 21, 2026, that the driver “intentionally ran over” a Homeland Security Investigation special agent, prompting another agent to fire “defensive shots.”

The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation, which remains “active,” according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The state investigation was reportedly completed in October 2025 and was to be presented to a grand jury for potential criminal charges, according to Martinez’s mother, Rachel Reyes.

Attorneys for the family have called for a full and fair investigation into why HSI was present at the scene of a traffic collision and why a federal officer shot and killed a U.S. Citizen.

Concerns Over Use of Force

Experts in police training and tactics have questioned the positioning of the federal officer. Geoffrey Alpert, a police use-of-force expert at the University of South Carolina, stated that an officer should not position themselves in front of a vehicle, as it puts them in harm’s way. Investigators will likely review any available video footage to determine how quickly Martinez moved the car forward.

Martinez’s Background

Ruben Ray Martinez worked at an Amazon warehouse and enjoyed video games and spending time with friends. His mother described him as a “typical young guy” who had never had prior run-ins with law enforcement. She stated it was his first time traveling out of town and that he was a “nice, humble” person who was not violent.

Part of a Larger Trend

The death of Martinez is among at least six deadly shootings by federal officers since the start of a nationwide immigration crackdown during President Donald Trump’s second term. In January 2026, Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother in Minneapolis, was killed by an ICE officer, and initial attempts by Trump administration officials to portray her as a threat were challenged by emerging video evidence.

Agents Involved in Border Task Force

The HSI agents involved in the shooting were part of a maritime border enforcement security task force, which has been increasingly focused on immigration enforcement over the past year.