Chicago Woman Shot by Federal Agent Files Lawsuit

Marimar Martinez sues agent and federal government over October shooting incident.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Marimar Martinez, a Chicago Montessori school teacher, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who shot her five times last October and the federal government. Martinez's lawyers say the evidence, including video, shows she did not ram into federal agents as claimed, and that the agent who shot her, Charles Exum, received praise before the incident was fully investigated.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about the use of force by federal law enforcement agents and the treatment of individuals who survive such encounters, including being labeled as "domestic terrorists" despite lack of evidence. It also raises questions about accountability and transparency in investigations of agent-involved shootings.

The details

According to Martinez's lawyers, federal investigators have labeled her a "domestic terrorist" despite a lack of evidence. The lawyers say video footage contradicts the government's claim that Martinez rammed into federal agents. They also note that agent Charles Exum received praise after the shooting, before it was fully investigated. The lawyers referenced other recent incidents of fatal shootings by ICE agents, saying "agents are encouraged, celebrated, and rewarded for shooting protesters."

  • The shooting incident occurred on October 4th, 2025.
  • Marimar Martinez filed the lawsuit on February 12th, 2026.

The players

Marimar Martinez

A Chicago Montessori school teacher who was shot five times by a federal agent in October 2025.

Charles Exum

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who shot Marimar Martinez.

Chris Parente

An attorney representing Marimar Martinez in her lawsuit against the federal agent and government.

Renee Good

An individual who was fatally shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti

An individual who was fatally shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

Silverio Villegas González

An individual who was fatally shot by ICE agents in Franklin Park, Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“To have your own government call you something as hurtful, and as harmful as a domestic terrorist when you know you're not, is just unacceptable and it's why Marimar instructed her team to continue to fight, to continue to push back against the U.S. Attorney's Office, to continue push back against (Homeland Security Secretary) Kristi Noem.”

— Chris Parente, Attorney (audacy.com)

“Agents are encouraged, celebrated, and rewarded for shooting protesters, right? You have seen that in this case. By surviving in a way that Ms. Good, and Mr. Pretti could not, or Mr. Gonzalez could not, Marimar was able to get discovery in this case that shows you exactly how this agency handles a shooting in the immediate aftermath, and it is scary.”

— Chris Parente, Attorney (audacy.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on a date to hear arguments on whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

This case raises serious concerns about the use of force by federal law enforcement, the treatment of individuals involved in such incidents, and the need for greater accountability and transparency in investigations of agent-involved shootings.