Newly released body camera footage appears to contradict initial claims made by federal officials regarding the fatal shooting of 23-year-traditional Ruben Ray Martinez by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in March 2025. Officials had stated Martinez was shot after he “accelerated” and “intentionally ran over” another agent with his car.
The shooting occurred on March 15, 2025, in South Padre Island, Texas, and was initially reported by local news outlets. However, it wasn’t until February 2026—nearly 11 months later—that ICE confirmed an agent was responsible for Martinez’s death.
According to an internal ICE report and a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Martinez “accelerated forward” and struck an agent during the incident. DHS claimed an agent fired “defensive shots” after Martinez “intentionally ran over” another agent. However, the newly released body camera footage shows Martinez’s vehicle was stationary or moving at very low speed when the shots were fired, and the vehicle’s brake lights were illuminated at the time of the shooting.
Following the shooting, Martinez was pulled from his vehicle, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed. The video shows no immediate medical care being provided to Martinez after he was restrained. DHS has been contacted for comment on the footage.
Rachel Reyes, Martinez’s mother, stated in her first television interview since her son’s death that she has struggled to locate “closure” due to the lack of information provided to her family. She has called for transparency from investigators and reform of immigration agent procedures.
Reyes, who voted for President Trump in 2024, stated, “I don’t blame President Trump for the death of my son, ’cause he wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger,” but believes “something needs to be changed in that department as far as the pattern of violence or abuse and impunity.”
The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the shooting, but a grand jury declined to issue any indictments in the case last month. The agency plans to release its investigative records sometime Friday.
A draft declaration from Joshua Orta, Martinez’s friend and passenger in the vehicle, stated that Martinez “did not hit anyone” and was attempting to comply with officer commands. Orta died in a separate car crash last month before he could sign the declaration.
The body camera footage was recorded by a South Padre Island police officer. ICE stated its Homeland Security Investigations agents were assisting local police with traffic control following a car accident.
The video shows Martinez’s vehicle approaching a scene with a significant law enforcement presence. Officers can be heard yelling “stop him” and “get him out” before shots are fired. The video shows the rear of Martinez’s car at the moment of the shooting, obscuring any activity near the driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did ICE confirm its agent shot Ruben Ray Martinez?
ICE confirmed one of its agents fatally shot Ruben Ray Martinez nearly 11 months after the shooting occurred, in February 2026.
What did the initial reports from ICE and DHS claim happened during the shooting?
ICE initially reported that Martinez “accelerated forward” and struck an agent. DHS claimed an agent fired “defensive shots” after Martinez “intentionally ran over” another agent.
What does the body camera footage appear to reveal?
The body camera footage shows Martinez’s vehicle was stationary or moving at very low speed when the shots were fired, and the vehicle’s brake lights were on.
What further questions does this new evidence raise about the circumstances surrounding the death of Ruben Ray Martinez?
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