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23-year-old U.S. citizen fatally shot by ICE agent in Texas; bodycam contradicts official account

May 25, 2026 · TX

23-year-old U.S. citizen fatally shot by ICE agent in Texas; bodycam contradicts official account

Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent on March 15, 2025, in South Padre Island, Texas. Bodycam video obtained by CBS News shows Martinez's vehicle was stationary or moving at very low speed with brake lights on when he was shot three times, contradicting ICE and DHS claims that he accelerated and intentionally ran over an agent. After being shot, Martinez was pulled from his vehicle, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed before medical personnel provided care. A Texas grand jury declined to return criminal indictments in the case. His family subsequently filed a tort claim against the federal government.

Timeline

May 25, 2026Texas grand jury declined to return criminal indictments; Martinez's family filed tort claim against federal government
Mar 15, 2025Ruben Ray Martinez fatally shot three times by ICE agent in South Padre Island, Texas; bodycam video shows vehicle was stationary or moving at very low speed with brake lights on
Mar 15, 2025After being shot, Martinez was pulled from his vehicle, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed; medical personnel provided care

Sources

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