ICE Agent Fatally Shot US Citizen in Texas Last Year, Records Show

Details emerge about 2025 incident involving federal immigration agents and a 23-year-old man in South Padre Island, Texas.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Federal agents shot and killed a U.S. citizen in Texas last year, but initial reports did not reveal their involvement. Internal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) records now show that Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was fatally shot by an ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officer in South Padre, Texas, on March 15, 2025, after what ICE described as a failure to follow law enforcement instructions during a traffic incident as agents worked with local police on immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability around use-of-force incidents involving federal immigration agents, particularly following recent high-profile fatal encounters in Minneapolis that sparked national outcry.

The details

According to ICE's internal report, HSI agents were helping redirect traffic when a blue four-door Ford approached the controlled area. The driver failed to follow instructions and attempted to continue, leading agents to surround the vehicle and verbally command the driver to exit. The driver then accelerated forward, striking an HSI agent who wound up on the hood of the vehicle. The HSI Group Supervisory Special Agent then discharged multiple rounds at the driver through the open driver's side window, fatally shooting Ruben Ray Martinez.

  • On March 15, 2025, the incident occurred in South Padre, Texas.
  • Martinez was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The players

Ruben Ray Martinez

A 23-year-old U.S. citizen from San Antonio, Texas who was fatally shot by an ICE agent.

HSI Group Supervisory Special Agent

The ICE agent who discharged multiple rounds at Martinez through the open driver's side window.

South Padre Island Police Department

The local police department that was assisting ICE agents with traffic control at the time of the incident.

Texas Rangers

The state law enforcement agency that was investigating the deadly encounter at the time.

Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger Division

Another state law enforcement agency involved in the incident.

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What’s next

Newsweek has filed public records requests seeking incident reports, investigative findings and any video related to the shooting in order to further understand the circumstances surrounding Martinez's death.

The takeaway

This case raises ongoing questions about transparency and accountability around use-of-force incidents involving federal immigration agents, particularly in light of recent high-profile fatal encounters that have sparked national outrage and calls for independent investigations.