Texan shot dead by ICE agent months before killings in Minneapolis, records show

The shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez in South Padre Island was not previously disclosed by the government.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Three months into President Donald Trump's mass deportation undertaking, an ICE officer shot and killed 23-year-old U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez of San Antonio in South Padre Island, long before immigration agents killed another American in Minnesota that prompted outrage across the nation, according to records released this week that were not previously disclosed by the government.

Why it matters

The shooting of Martinez contradicts the Trump administration's public messaging about the president's mass deportation effort, which was characterized as being mired by attacks on officers. The lack of transparency around Martinez's death raises concerns about the government's handling of these incidents and the potential for further cover-ups.

The details

Agents assigned to a Department of Homeland Security subagency fatally shot Martinez multiple times in the early hours of March 15 while they helped local police direct traffic at the scene of a car crash. DHS claimed Martinez 'intentionally' ran over an agent, who was taken to a hospital for a knee injury. The Texas Department of Public Safety's Rangers are investigating the shooting.

  • The shooting occurred on March 15, three months into President Trump's mass deportation undertaking.
  • Another non-fatal and previously unreported incident occurred in Beaumont a month before Martinez's shooting.

The players

Ruben Ray Martinez

A 23-year-old U.S. citizen from San Antonio who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in South Padre Island.

Rachel Reyes

Ruben Ray Martinez's mother, who has been seeking justice and answers for her son's death.

Chioma Chukwu

The Executive Director of American Oversight, a nonprofit government watchdog that released the records related to the shooting.

Gina Hinojosa

A Texas state representative who has requested a legislative oversight inquiry to release the body cam footage of Martinez's shooting.

Joaquin Castro

A U.S. representative who called for a thorough probe into the shooting, "including why there was an 8-month cover up."

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What they’re saying

“Since Ruben's death a year ago, all we have wanted is justice for him and we have struggled with the silence surrounding his killing. Now, the country is in crisis — and, terribly, heartbreakingly, other families are enduring what we have. It's my hope that attention being raised now into Ruben's death will help bring the justice we want for him and the answers we haven't had.”

— Rachel Reyes, Ruben Ray Martinez's mother

“What they're telling the public is very different than what they're doing behind closed doors. The only reason why we're able to make these connections and really call into question the public statements that they're making to mislead the public is because we're able to get our hands on these documents. That should deeply concern everyone.”

— Chioma Chukwu, Executive Director of American Oversight (The Texas Tribune)

What’s next

The Texas Department of Public Safety's Rangers are investigating the shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro has called for a thorough probe into the shooting, "including why there was an 8-month cover up."

The takeaway

The shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez highlights the lack of transparency and potential cover-up surrounding the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which has resulted in the deaths of several U.S. citizens. This case raises serious concerns about the government's handling of these incidents and the need for independent oversight and accountability.