DHS Agent Fatally Shoots Texas Citizen During Beach Trip

Newly released videos contradict agency's claims about the incident

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Newly released body camera videos show the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old US citizen by a federal immigration agent in Texas last year, contradicting the Department of Homeland Security's claims that the driver intentionally rammed an agent with his car. The videos do not clearly show the vehicle striking an agent, and a passenger in the car said the driver panicked because he feared getting arrested for drunk driving, not because he intended to harm officers.

Why it matters

This incident raises questions about the use of force by federal agents and the transparency of investigations into such incidents. The release of the videos provides the public with a clearer picture of what happened, which differs from the initial narrative provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

The details

The fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez occurred during a beach trip in South Padre Island, Texas on March 15, 2025. Homeland Security Investigations Supervisory Special Agent Jack Stevens fired the fatal shots, claiming he did so to protect his fellow agents, police officers, and the public from what he feared was a terrorist attack. However, the newly released body camera videos, taken from behind Martinez's car, do not clearly show the vehicle striking an agent. A passenger in the car, Joshua Orta, told investigators that Martinez had panicked because he feared getting arrested for drunk driving, not because he intended to harm officers.

  • The incident occurred on March 15, 2025.
  • The Texas Rangers closed their investigation into the shooting after a grand jury declined last week to file any criminal charges against the agent.

The players

Ruben Ray Martinez

A 23-year-old US citizen who was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during a beach trip in South Padre Island, Texas.

Jack Stevens

A Homeland Security Investigations Supervisory Special Agent who fired the fatal shots, claiming he did so to protect his fellow agents, police officers, and the public from what he feared was a terrorist attack.

Joshua Orta

A passenger in the car with Ruben Ray Martinez, who told investigators that Martinez had panicked because he feared getting arrested for drunk driving, not because he intended to harm officers.

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What they’re saying

“He didn't know what to do. Like he definitely didn't want to go to jail. But as far as like running over an officer ... he wouldn't do that.”

— Joshua Orta, Passenger in the car

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment about the newly released videos. It remains to be seen if the agency will address the discrepancies between its initial claims and the evidence presented in the videos.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in investigations of use-of-force incidents by federal agents. The release of the body camera videos provides a clearer picture of what happened, which differs from the initial narrative provided by the Department of Homeland Security, raising questions about the agency's credibility and the thoroughness of its investigation.