TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

A US citizen named Ruben Ray Martinez was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent on South Padre Island, Texas in March 2025. The government didn't tell the public about the shooting for 11 months. Martinez's family says he was just celebrating his 23rd birthday at the beach when he was killed. The family's lawyer says videos show a different story than what immigration agents reported.

US Citizen Shot By Immigration Agent in Texas: What Happened to Ruben Martinez?

A young man from San Antonio went to the beach to celebrate his birthday. He never came home.

Newly released government documents show that Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old US citizen, was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent on South Padre Island, Texas last March. The shooting happened during what started as a regular traffic stop. But here's the shocking part: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) never told the public about it.

For almost a year, Martinez's death stayed hidden. His family has been fighting for answers. Now, internal records obtained through a lawsuit are finally bringing this case to light.

Who Was Ruben Ray Martinez?

Ruben Martinez was just days past his 23rd birthday when he died. He worked at an Amazon warehouse in San Antonio. His mom, Rachel Reyes, says he loved playing video games and hanging out with friends.

"He was a typical young guy," Reyes told reporters. "He never really got a chance to go out and experience things. It was his first time getting to go out of town."

Martinez had never been in trouble with the law before. He and his best friend drove down to South Padre Island for a weekend getaway. The beach town on the Gulf Coast is famous for spring break celebrations. Thousands of young people visit every March.

It should have been a fun birthday trip. Instead, it ended in tragedy.

What Happened the Night of the Shooting?

According to an internal ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) report, here's what happened on March 15, 2025:

Shortly after midnight, a team from HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) was helping local police direct traffic. There had been a car accident with injuries at a busy intersection.

Martinez was driving a blue Ford with his friend as a passenger. When they approached the intersection, agents ordered them to stop. The report doesn't say why.

At first, Martinez didn't respond to the commands. But he did eventually stop the car. Then agents surrounded the vehicle and told both men to get out.

According to the government's version, Martinez "accelerated forward" and hit an HSI agent who ended up on the hood of the car. Another agent standing by the driver's side window then fired his gun multiple times through the open window.

Paramedics who were already there for the accident tried to help Martinez. He was rushed to a hospital in Brownsville where doctors pronounced him dead. His friend, also a US citizen, was taken into custody.

Martinez was shot three times, according to his mother.

Why Did the Government Keep This Secret?

Here's what makes this case especially troubling: DHS never announced the shooting. No press release. No public statement. Nothing.

Local Texas news reported that a young man died, but they didn't know federal agents were involved. The government stayed silent for 11 months.

The shooting only came to light because a watchdog group called American Oversight sued under the Freedom of Information Act (this is a law that lets the public request government documents). They got heavily redacted ICE records that showed what really happened.

When NBC News asked DHS why they kept the shooting secret, the department didn't answer that question. Instead, they released a statement saying Martinez "intentionally ran over" an agent, and another agent fired "defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public."

But Martinez's family says that's not the whole story.

The Family Says Videos Tell a Different Story

Rachel Reyes, Martinez's mother, didn't learn her son was killed by a federal agent until about a week after his death. A Texas Ranger investigator contacted her.

That investigator told her something important: there are videos of the shooting. And according to Reyes, those videos contradict what the federal agents said happened.

"They didn't give him a chance," Reyes said. "It's so excessive. They could have done anything else besides that. It's like they shoot first and ask questions later."

The family's attorneys, Charles M. Stam and Alex Stamm, are demanding answers. They want to know why HSI agents were even at a traffic accident scene in the first place. And they want to know why a federal officer shot and killed a US citizen who was trying to follow instructions from local police directing traffic.

The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting. According to Reyes, they finished their report in October and planned to present the case to a grand jury (a group of citizens who decide if criminal charges should be filed). But as of now, the Texas Department of Public Safety says the investigation is still "active."

Why Were Immigration Agents at a Traffic Accident?

Good question. The HSI agents involved were part of a maritime border enforcement security task force. Their normal job is fighting criminal organizations at seaports.

But over the last year, officers from many federal agencies have been reassigned to focus on immigration enforcement. That's why HSI agents were helping local police with traffic control that night.

This case is part of a bigger pattern. Since President Trump's second term started in January 2025, there have been at least six deadly shootings by federal officers during immigration operations. Martinez's death in March 2025 would be the earliest of these incidents.

The most publicized case was Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother in Minneapolis who was shot in her SUV by an ICE officer in January 2026. The government initially called her a "domestic terrorist" who tried to ram officers. But videos later showed the official story didn't match what actually happened.

Police Experts Question the Agents' Actions

Geoffrey Alpert is a police use-of-force expert at the University of South Carolina. He looked at the details of Martinez's shooting and had serious concerns.

"You don't stand in front of the car, you don't put yourself in harm's way," Alpert said. He explained that officers are trained NOT to position themselves where a car could hit them.

If you stand in front of a car and the driver moves forward, you've created a dangerous situation. Then you might feel justified shooting because you're "in danger." But you put yourself there in the first place.

Alpert said investigators need to review any body camera footage or other videos. They need to see exactly how Martinez moved the car. Did he floor the accelerator? Or did he just take his foot off the brake?

These details matter a lot when deciding if shooting someone was justified.

What Should You Do Now?

If you or someone you know has an encounter with immigration agents, here are important things to remember:

Know your rights. You have the right to remain silent. You don't have to answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the US. If you're not a citizen, carrying false documents or lying to agents can create bigger legal problems.

Stay calm and don't make sudden movements. Even if agents are wrong or treating you unfairly, sudden movements can escalate the situation. Keep your hands visible. Move slowly. Tell agents what you're doing before you do it ("I'm reaching for my ID in my pocket").

Document everything you can safely document. If you witness an immigration stop or arrest, recording it on your phone is legal in most situations. But don't interfere with agents or put yourself in danger. Get badge numbers and names if possible. Write down what happened as soon as you can.

Get legal help immediately. If you're arrested or if an immigration agent shoots someone you know, contact an immigration lawyer right away. Groups like the ACLU and local immigrant rights organizations can help connect you with legal support, often for free.

Tell your story. Cases like Martinez's shooting stayed hidden because nobody knew about them. If you experience abuse or excessive force from immigration agents, report it. Contact local media, immigrant advocacy groups, and file complaints with DHS's Office of Inspector General.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Ruben Martinez a US citizen?

Yes, Ruben Ray Martinez was a US citizen born in the United States. He lived in San Antonio, Texas and worked at an Amazon warehouse. This shooting wasn't about someone being in the country illegally. It was a US citizen killed during a traffic encounter with federal immigration agents.

Why were immigration agents doing traffic stops?

The HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) agents weren't originally doing a traffic stop. They were helping local South Padre Island police direct traffic around a car accident. When Martinez's car approached, agents told him to stop, though the reports don't explain why. Over the past year, many federal agents from different agencies have been reassigned to immigration enforcement operations.

Are there videos of the shooting?

According to Martinez's mother, a Texas Ranger investigator told her that videos exist and they show a different version of events than what federal agents reported. These videos haven't been released to the public yet. The family's lawyers are working to get access to any body camera footage or other recordings from that night.

Will anyone be charged in Martinez's death?

That's unclear right now. The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting and reportedly completed their report in October 2025. The family was told the case would go to a grand jury to decide if criminal charges should be filed against the agent who shot Martinez. But as of February 2026, the Texas Department of Public Safety says the investigation is still "active" and hasn't provided more information.

How many people have been killed by immigration agents recently?

Martinez's death in March 2025 is the earliest of at least six deadly shootings by federal officers during immigration operations since President Trump's second term began in January 2025. The most well-known case is Renee Good, a mother in Minneapolis shot by an ICE officer in January 2026. These numbers only include shootings that have been publicly reported, and cases like Martinez's show that some incidents have been kept secret for months.

Sources and More Information

This article is based on reporting from multiple sources:

For legal help with immigration issues, contact a licensed immigration attorney or reach out to organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) for referrals.

If you've experienced abuse by immigration agents, you can file a complaint with the DHS Office of Inspector General or contact immigrant rights organizations in your area.