Video Contradicts ICE's Account of Killing US Citizen

Footage raises questions about federal agents' use of force against civilians

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Newly released body camera footage appears to contradict the Department of Homeland Security's account of the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez by a Homeland Security Investigations agent in Texas last March. The video shows Martinez's car moving slowly with brake lights on as three gunshots are heard, contradicting the DHS claim that he "intentionally ran over" an agent. Lawyers for Martinez's family say the footage confirms he was shot "at point-blank range through his side window" while posing no threat.

Why it matters

This case is the latest in a series of incidents where federal immigration agents have been accused of using excessive force and making misleading statements about the circumstances surrounding the killings of US citizens. It raises broader questions about accountability and transparency within federal law enforcement agencies under the Trump administration.

The details

The body camera footage was released by the Texas Department of Public Safety over the weekend. It shows a South Padre Island police officer's perspective, with someone heard saying "Keep going" as Martinez's car approaches the scene of a prior vehicle accident. The car briefly stops for pedestrians before officers start shouting "Stop him" and "Get him out." Three gunshots are then heard shortly after the car appears to be moving slowly with brake lights on. An officer is then seen removing Martinez from the car and throwing him to the ground, while his friend Joshua Orta is taken into custody.

  • The incident occurred in March 2026.
  • The body camera footage was released by Texas authorities in March 2027.

The players

Ruben Ray Martinez

A 23-year-old US citizen who was fatally shot by a Homeland Security Investigations agent in Texas.

Joshua Orta

Martinez's friend who was in the car with him at the time of the incident and provided a witness statement.

Jack C. Stevens

The Homeland Security Investigations agent accused of killing Martinez.

Hector Sosa

A second HSI agent who the DHS claimed was struck by Martinez's car, though the footage does not clearly show this.

American Oversight

A government watchdog group that revealed Martinez was the first known US citizen killed by a federal immigration agent under the Trump administration.

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What they’re saying

“If an officer was hit, University of South Carolina criminal justice professor Geoffrey P. Albert told the Washington Post, based on the footage of the car it would have been a case of 'officer-created jeopardy.'”

— Geoffrey P. Albert, Professor of Criminal Justice (Washington Post)

“The contradictory orders are confusing and may have been a strong influence. The speed is slow and doesn't appear threatening. Could the officer have moved away? At worst, all he has to do is step aside.”

— Geoffrey P. Albert, Professor of Criminal Justice (Washington Post)

“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 family (rawstory.com)

“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 (rawstory.com)

What’s next

The Texas Department of Public Safety is continuing its investigation into the shooting, and a grand jury has already declined to indict the agent involved. Martinez's family and lawyers, as well as the government watchdog group American Oversight, are demanding the full release of the state's investigative findings.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing concerns about the use of excessive force and lack of transparency by federal immigration agents under the Trump administration, with multiple incidents of agents making misleading statements about the circumstances surrounding the killings of US citizens. It underscores the need for greater accountability and independent oversight of these federal law enforcement agencies.