Texas Grand Jury Declines Indictment in Fatal Shooting of US Citizen by Federal Agent

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A Texas grand jury has declined to bring indictments against a federal immigration agent who fatally shot Ruben Ray Martinez, a U.S. citizen, during a traffic encounter last year. The Cameron County District Attorney's Office said the grand jury was presented the case but did not hand up any charges. The Department of Homeland Security has claimed the agent opened fire to 'protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public' after Martinez 'intentionally ran over' the agent, but a passenger in Martinez's car disputed that account in a draft affidavit before dying in a car crash.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions and questions around the use of force by federal immigration authorities, especially in encounters with U.S. citizens. It also raises concerns about transparency and accountability in such incidents, as the shooting was not publicly disclosed for months.

The details

According to prosecutors, the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez by a Homeland Security Investigations agent occurred on March 15, 2025, during a traffic encounter in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security has alleged that Martinez 'intentionally ran over' the agent, prompting another agent to open fire in 'defensive' action. However, a passenger in Martinez's car, Joshua Orta, disputed that account in a draft affidavit, saying Martinez's car was 'just crawling' and that the agent fired without warning. Orta, a key witness, died in a car crash last weekend.

• The fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez occurred on March 15, 2025.
• The grand jury declined to indict the federal agent on February 26, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The case remains under investigation, and it is unclear if the Martinez family will pursue further legal action.