Border Patrol Shooting Raises Concerns Over 'Good Shoot' Culture

Newly released evidence in the Marimar Martinez case exposes a federal agency that rewards aggressive tactics and delays accountability.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The newly released evidence in the Marimar Martinez shooting exposes not only a deeply flawed operation in Chicago but a federal chain of command that rewarded violence instead of scrutinizing it. Body camera footage, internal emails, and text messages depict an agency culture where aggressive tactics are encouraged, accountability is delayed, and public narratives are crafted to shift blame onto a wounded civilian.

Why it matters

The Martinez shooting did not occur in isolation but unfolded amid a broader, highly aggressive enforcement push in Chicago under Operation Midway Blitz. The language captured on camera about getting 'aggressive' and the celebratory tone in internal messages suggest a culture where escalation is rewarded and restraint is undervalued. This raises urgent questions about how federal agencies investigate their own officers and how quickly leadership rushes to endorse force.

The details

On October 4, 2025, 30-year-old U.S. citizen Marimar Martinez was shot multiple times by Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum during Operation Midway Blitz. Federal authorities initially claimed Martinez intentionally rammed a government vehicle and portrayed her as a domestic terrorist. However, video evidence shows agents discussing a need to 'get aggressive' just before their vehicle turns into Martinez's car, undercutting the claim that she was the primary aggressor. After the collision, Exum exited and fired five shots, striking Martinez, while bystanders can be heard yelling at the agents.

  • On October 4, 2025, Martinez was shot multiple times by Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum.
  • In November 2025, federal prosecutors abruptly moved to dismiss the charges against Martinez, and a judge dismissed the case with prejudice.

The players

Marimar Martinez

A 30-year-old U.S. citizen who was shot multiple times by Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum during an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago.

Charles Exum

A Border Patrol agent who shot Marimar Martinez multiple times during an incident in Chicago.

Gregory Bovino

A Border Patrol commander who emailed Exum the same day of the shooting, offering to extend his retirement and praising his 'outstanding service in Chicago.'

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that continued to refer to Martinez as a domestic terrorist even after the charges against her were dismissed.

Operation Midway Blitz

A federal immigration enforcement operation in Chicago that involved multiple agencies and a pattern of confrontational tactics.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

A transparent, independent review of both the shooting and the conduct of officials who shaped the public story while privately applauding the shooter is needed.

The takeaway

The Martinez shooting case raises urgent questions about how federal agencies investigate their own officers, how quickly leadership rushes to endorse force, and how easily official narratives can diverge from video evidence. This incident appears to be a warning about a system that has treated aggressive force as a badge of honor rather than a last resort.