Video Casts Doubt on ICE Shooting Claim in Texas

Footage shows conflicting orders and slow-moving car before federal agent opened fire, killing U.S. citizen

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Video released by investigators in the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, by a federal immigration agent in South Padre Island, Texas, calls into question the government's claim that Martinez "intentionally ran over" another agent before being shot. The footage shows Martinez was given conflicting instructions and his car was moving slowly when Homeland Security Investigations Agent Jack C. Stevens fired three shots into Martinez's vehicle.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about the use of lethal force by federal immigration agents and the reliability of official accounts, especially as the Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement. It also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability around such incidents involving U.S. citizens.

The details

The video footage shows Martinez's car moving very slowly in the moments before Stevens fired, contradicting the government's claim that Martinez accelerated and struck an agent. Witness statements also conflict with the official narrative, with Martinez's friend Joshua Orta saying Martinez did not hit anyone and the officer seemed to be trying to get in front of the car. Autopsy records show Martinez was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.

  • The incident occurred in the early-morning hours of March 15, 2026 in South Padre Island, Texas.
  • A grand jury in Texas declined to indict Stevens in connection with Martinez's death on February 25, 2026.

The players

Ruben Ray Martinez

A 23-year-old U.S. citizen who was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent in South Padre Island, Texas.

Jack C. Stevens

A Homeland Security Investigations agent who fired three shots into Martinez's vehicle, killing him.

Hector Sosa

A Homeland Security Investigations agent who was allegedly struck by Martinez's vehicle, sustaining a knee injury.

Joshua Orta

Martinez's friend who was a passenger in the car and witnessed the shooting, later providing a written statement rebutting key elements of the government's narrative.

Rachel Reyes

Martinez's mother, who has filed a lawsuit over his death.

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What they’re saying

“These new videos confirm that Ruben's car was barely moving when he was shot. That he was shot at point-blank range through his side window by an ICE agent who was in no danger.”

— Charles M. Stam and Alex Stamm, Lawyers for Martinez's mother

“We have seen no information or evidence that places any officer in harm's way that justified a federal agent shooting and killing Ruben. That's the bottom line. And we've seen no video or written evidence that Sosa was struck by Ruben.”

— Charles M. Stam and Alex Stamm, Lawyers for Martinez's mother

“I was present, and I state clearly and without hesitation that Ruben did not hit anyone. The trooper seemed to be trying to get in front of the car, like he wasn't moving out of the way when we tried to turn around and leave like the police officer told us to do.”

— Joshua Orta, Witness and Martinez's friend

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Stevens out on bail while the investigation continues.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability around use-of-force incidents involving federal immigration agents, especially when U.S. citizens are killed. The conflicting accounts and video footage raise serious questions about the reliability of the government's narrative and the justification for the use of lethal force.