Border Patrol Agent Shoots Chicago Woman During Immigration Crackdown

Bodycam footage contradicts official account of incident, raising concerns about use of force

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Federal prosecutors have released bodycam footage and other evidence in the case of a Chicago woman, Marimar Martinez, who survived being shot multiple times by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration crackdown last fall. The footage suggests the agents could have struck Martinez's vehicle themselves, contradicting the Trump administration's account that she had 'ambushed' the agents. Martinez, a U.S. citizen and Montessori school teacher, was following the agents to warn residents of their presence when the collision occurred. The agent who fired the shots, Exum, had previously bragged about his marksmanship in a group chat with other agents.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about the use of force by federal immigration agents and the transparency around such incidents. The release of the bodycam footage and other evidence casts doubt on the government's initial narrative and suggests a pattern of aggressive tactics and lack of accountability among Border Patrol agents, especially in the context of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

The details

In the bodycam footage, an agent can be heard saying 'It's time to get aggressive' shortly before the vehicles made contact. After the collision, Exum stepped out of the vehicle and fired five shots at Martinez, who drove off and was later taken to a hospital. The Department of Homeland Security had initially claimed that Martinez had 'ambushed' the agents, but the evidence suggests the agents may have struck her vehicle themselves. Exum also drove the vehicle back to his base in Maine and had it repaired before the defendants could examine it, and he later bragged about his marksmanship in a group chat with other agents.

  • On October 4, the incident occurred in Chicago.
  • In November, the charges against Martinez were dropped.
  • In the aftermath, the DHS statement labeling Martinez a 'domestic terrorist' has remained online.

The players

Marimar Martinez

A 31-year-old U.S. citizen and Montessori school teacher in Chicago who was following the Border Patrol agents to warn residents of their presence when the collision occurred.

Exum

The Border Patrol agent who fired five shots at Martinez after the collision, and who later bragged about his marksmanship in a group chat with other agents.

Gregory Bovino

A Border Patrol official who was demoted from his post as commander-at-large, overseeing operations in Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, following the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Bovino thanked Exum for his 'excellent service' in Chicago and suggested the agent postpone his retirement.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's time to get aggressive”

— Unnamed Border Patrol agent (Bodycam footage)

“I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book, boys”

— Exum, Border Patrol agent (Text messages)

“You have much left to do!”

— Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol official (Email)

What’s next

Martinez plans to file a civil lawsuit against the government following the release of the bodycam footage and other evidence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability around the use of force by federal immigration agents, especially in the context of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The discrepancies between the official narrative and the evidence released raise serious concerns about the tactics and decision-making of Border Patrol agents.