Witness to Immigration Agent's Fatal Shooting Dies in Texas Car Crash
Joshua Orta, the passenger present when Ruben Ray Martinez was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent in March 2025, has died in a fiery car crash in San Antonio, Texas. The incident occurred on Saturday, as confirmed by lawyers for Martinez's family, marking a tragic turn in a case that has drawn scrutiny over government transparency and use of force.
Details of the Fatal Shooting and Witness Account
Orta was riding with Martinez during a Spring Break trip when they encountered local police and federal agents directing traffic at a busy intersection. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Martinez allegedly "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." However, in a draft affidavit prepared after interviews in September, Orta reportedly disputed this version of events.
He stated that Martinez did not hit an officer with the vehicle, describing the car as "just crawling as we were trying to turn around." Orta claimed that a federal agent fired into the driver's side window from about two feet away without "giving any warning, commands, or opportunity to comply." This account has been central to a potential wrongful death lawsuit being prepared by Martinez's family.
Orta's Death and Investigation Implications
On Saturday, San Antonio police reported that a 25-year-old man was killed after driving at high speed into a curved highway exit, losing control, and slamming into a utility pole. Passengers escaped as the vehicle caught fire but were unable to rescue the driver. Lawyers for Rachel Reyes, Martinez's mother, identified Orta as the victim.
Alex Stamm, a lawyer representing the family, expressed condolences, stating, "First and foremost, Joshua's death is an awful tragedy for his family and friends. In terms of Ruben's death, the world has also now lost a critical eyewitness." The DHS reiterated its original statement on Monday, while the Texas Rangers confirmed they are investigating Martinez's shooting but did not comment on whether they had interviewed Orta before his death.
Broader Context and Similar Cases
Martinez's death is part of a pattern of at least six deadly shootings by federal officers since a coast-to-coast immigration crackdown began during Donald Trump's second presidency. The DHS did not publicly disclose for 11 months that one of its agents was involved in the shooting. This case shares similarities with the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother in Minneapolis, who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on 7 January.
Initially labeled a "domestic terrorist" by Trump administration officials, videos later emerged showing Good trying to drive away from the agent who shot her, casting doubt on the government's narrative. Neither Good nor Martinez had any criminal record, raising further questions about law enforcement protocols, as officers are typically trained not to step in front of vehicles due to safety risks.
Legal and Public Accountability Concerns
Stamm emphasized the importance of Orta's testimony, noting that it confirmed Martinez's car was barely moving before the shooting and that no officer was struck. He urged for full transparency, stating, "We believe Joshua's account, and, as we have seen recently in Minneapolis, Chicago and elsewhere, it is critical that the public be shown every piece of evidence in the government's possession, and that any witness come forward."
The loss of Orta as a witness complicates the ongoing investigation and potential legal actions, highlighting broader issues of accountability in immigration enforcement and police shootings across the United States.
