Federal Agent Fatally Shoots U.S. Citizen During Traffic Incident

DHS documents reveal ICE agent involved in 2025 shooting death of Ruben Ray Martinez in South Padre Island, Texas

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Newly released Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records show that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot 23-year-old U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez during a late-night traffic incident in South Padre Island, Texas in March 2025. The shooting, which was initially reported as an 'officer-involved shooting' without disclosing the federal agent's involvement, remained undisclosed to the public for nearly a year until the documents were obtained through a public records request.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability when federal immigration agents use deadly force, especially against U.S. citizens. The year-long delay in disclosing the ICE agent's involvement has raised questions about the lack of timely public reporting on such incidents.

The details

According to the DHS documents, ICE agents with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Harlingen Border Enforcement Security Task Force were assisting local police with traffic control around 12:40 a.m. after a major vehicle accident. When a blue Ford approached the intersection, officers ordered the driver to stop. The driver slowed, then accelerated forward, striking an HSI supervisory special agent who ended up on the hood of the vehicle. A supervising agent then fired multiple rounds through the open driver's side window, fatally shooting the driver, identified as Ruben Ray Martinez, a U.S. citizen from San Antonio. A second occupant, also a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody.

  • The incident occurred around 12:40 a.m. on March 15, 2025.
  • ICE notified internal oversight bodies on the day of the shooting, March 15, 2025.
  • The shooting remained undisclosed to the public for nearly a year until the DHS documents were obtained through a public records request.

The players

Ruben Ray Martinez

A 23-year-old U.S. citizen from San Antonio who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during the traffic incident.

Rachel Reyes

The mother of Ruben Ray Martinez, who has disputed the government's account of the shooting.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency whose agent fatally shot Ruben Ray Martinez.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees ICE and released the documents detailing the shooting incident.

Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers

The state agency that assumed primary investigative jurisdiction over the shooting incident.

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What they’re saying

“Since Ruben's death, all we have wanted is justice for him—and we struggled with the silence.”

— Rachel Reyes, Mother of Ruben Ray Martinez (Newsweek)

“The lack of timely transparency raised serious concerns about accountability when federal agents use deadly force.”

— Spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom (Newsweek)

What’s next

The Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers Division remains the lead investigative agency, but no information has been released publicly about disciplinary action, prosecutorial decisions, or whether body-camera footage exists or will be released.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability when federal immigration agents use deadly force, especially against U.S. citizens. The year-long delay in disclosing the ICE agent's involvement has raised questions about the lack of timely public reporting on such incidents.