New evidence disputes DHS claims in Chicago woman's shooting

Internal report suggests Marimar Martinez was flagged as a potential threat before being shot by federal agent

Feb. 19, 2026 at 11:55pm

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Newly obtained evidence suggests the federal government had flagged a Chicago woman named Marimar Martinez as a potential threat before she was shot five times by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown last year. Martinez's attorney says she did not write a threatening message that was attributed to her and used to justify the shooting, which labeled her a domestic terrorist.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about the federal government's surveillance and use of force against protesters and observers, as well as the potential for false narratives and unsubstantiated claims to be used to justify violence against civilians.

The details

According to an internal report analyzed by Scripps News, Martinez appeared on a CBP watch list just days before the October shooting. The report flagged activity in a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) watch Facebook group, including a translated post that read, 'Hey to all my gang let's f*** those mother f****** up, don't let them take anyone.' Martinez's attorney says she did not write the message, but DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin later attributed it to her and used it as justification for the shooting, accusing Martinez of targeting federal officers and labeling her a domestic terrorist.

  • In October 2025, Marimar Martinez was shot five times by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent.
  • Just days before the shooting, Martinez appeared on a CBP watch list.

The players

Marimar Martinez

A Chicago woman who was shot five times by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Christopher Parente

Martinez's attorney, who says she did not write the threatening message attributed to her.

Tricia McLaughlin

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson who attributed the threatening message to Martinez and used it to justify the shooting, labeling her a domestic terrorist.

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What they’re saying

“The scarier part of that is the quote from Tricia McLaughlin that was attributed to Marimar. That kind of started a lot of this and kind of started this labeling of domestic terrorist. They quoted Marimar and one of these groups as calling for action of violence against ICE.”

— Christopher Parente, Martinez's attorney (Scripps News)

What’s next

The government has yet to retract its statements about Martinez and end what her attorney calls a false narrative that protesters and observers like her are domestic terrorists.

The takeaway

This case highlights the concerning potential for the federal government to use unsubstantiated claims and false narratives to justify the use of force against civilians, particularly protesters and observers, raising questions about surveillance, due process, and the protection of civil liberties.