US Citizen Fatally Shot by Federal Immigration Agent During Texas Traffic Stop
Newly disclosed records have revealed that a United States citizen was shot and killed by a federal immigration officer during a late-night traffic stop nearly a year ago in a Texas beach town. The incident, which occurred on South Padre Island in March 2025, involved a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) team and has not been publicly disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security until now.
Details of the Fatal Encounter
The death of 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez marks the earliest of at least six deadly shootings by federal officers since the start of a nationwide immigration crackdown during President Donald Trump's second term. According to documents obtained by the nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight, the shooting took place after Martinez allegedly intentionally struck an HSI special agent with his vehicle.
DHS stated on Friday that the driver "intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigation special agent," prompting another agent to fire "defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public." The department did not respond to inquiries about why no media release or public notification was issued over the past eleven months.
Victim's Background and Family's Account
Martinez's mother, Rachel Reyes, described her son as a typical young man who worked at an Amazon warehouse, enjoyed video games, and spent time with friends. He had no prior encounters with law enforcement. Reyes said Martinez was just days past his 23rd birthday when he and his best friend drove from San Antonio to South Padre Island for a weekend celebration during spring break.
"He was a nice guy, humble guy. And he wasn't a violent person at all," Reyes told The Associated Press. "He never really got a chance to go out and experience things. It was his first time getting to go out of town."
Internal Report and Investigation
An internal two-page ICE incident report included in the disclosed documents states that shortly after midnight, HSI officers were assisting South Padre Island police by redirecting traffic through a busy intersection following a vehicle accident with several injuries. A blue, four-door Ford approached the officers, who ordered the driver to stop. The report does not specify why the stop was initiated.
Initially, the driver did not respond to commands but eventually came to a stop. Agents then surrounded the vehicle and instructed those inside to exit. According to the report, the driver "accelerated forward" and struck an HSI special agent, who ended up on the hood of the vehicle. An HSI supervisory special agent standing by the side of the car then fired multiple times through the open driver's side window, causing the vehicle to stop.
Paramedics already on the scene provided medical aid, and Martinez was taken by ambulance to a regional hospital in Brownsville, where he was pronounced dead. The passenger, also a US citizen, was taken into custody. The HSI officer struck by the vehicle was treated for a knee injury at a nearby hospital and released.
Ongoing State Investigation
The Texas Rangers responded to the shooting scene and took the lead as the primary investigating agency. Reyes said she learned about a week after her son's death that he had been shot by a federal agent, not a local police officer. She was contacted by a Rangers investigator who informed her that videos of the shooting contradicted the federal agents' account.
The Texas Department of Public Safety stated on Friday that the investigation into the shooting is still "active" and declined to offer further information. Messages left with the office of Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz received no response, and South Padre Island Police Chief Claudine O'Carroll also did not comment.
Expert Analysis and Broader Context
According to the ICE report, the HSI agents involved were part of a maritime border enforcement security task force typically focused on combating transnational criminal organizations at seaports. However, over the past year, officers from multiple federal agencies have been reassigned to prioritize immigration enforcement.
Geoffrey Alpert, a police use-of-force expert at the University of South Carolina, questioned why a federal officer positioned himself in front of Martinez's vehicle. "You don't stand in front of the car, you don't put yourself in harm's way," Alpert said. He added that there is never a scenario where it is justified, "because you don't know whether this person is going to flee, and if he flees, you could be dead."
Alpert noted that investigators will likely review any available body camera footage or other videos to assess how swiftly Martinez moved the car forward—whether he merely took his foot off the brake or pressed hard on the accelerator.
Family's Grievances and Calls for Accountability
Reyes expressed disbelief that her son would intentionally assault a law enforcement officer. "They didn't give him a chance," she said. "It's so excessive. They could have done anything else besides that. It's like they shoot first and ask questions later."
The case draws parallels to other incidents, such as the January shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother in Minneapolis, by ICE officer Jonathan Ross. Initially labeled a "domestic terrorist" by Trump administration officials, videos later emerged that cast doubt on the government's narrative.
As the investigation continues, the lack of transparency and the circumstances surrounding Martinez's death highlight ongoing concerns about federal immigration enforcement tactics and accountability in officer-involved shootings.
