Marimar Martinez
Seriously injured · CBP · Chicago, Illinois
What happened
Martinez, 30, was driving on Chicago’s Southwest Side when a confrontation with Border Patrol agents ended with Exum shooting her. She was hospitalized, later charged with impeding law enforcement; charges were dismissed. Bodycam later released showed agents discussing getting “aggressive” and making contact before a collision and gunfire.
Resistance to arrest
Federal officials said Martinez intentionally struck a Border Patrol vehicle and boxed agents in. She was charged with impeding law enforcement; charges were later dismissed. Bodycam and her lawyers contested who initiated the collision. She was a U.S. citizen, not an immigration arrest target.
Officer / agency involvement
CBP agent Charles Exum fired about five shots; Martinez treated for gunshot wounds.
Official / DHS account
Federal officials said Martinez intentionally struck a Border Patrol vehicle and helped box agents in; Exum testified he fired to save his life after he could not exit the vehicle.
Contested points & other evidence
Martinez’s lawyers said agents rammed her car. Court records showed Exum bragged about the shooting in texts. After bodycam release, her lawyer said it undermined federal “false claims.” She is pursuing a lawsuit.
Investigation status
Criminal charges against Martinez dismissed (~2 months later). Civil litigation ongoing; DHS/DOJ had not publicly detailed a use-of-force finding in NBC’s roundup.
Sources
How to read source labels
News outlets are tagged with a perceived lean (liberal, conservative, or neutral)—a simplified reading of common media-bias charts, not a verdict on accuracy. Official records (court filings, prosecutor releases, agency statements, legislative text) are listed separately and are not scored as “news,” though governments and prosecutors also have interests.
Court filings & official records
- Illinois Accountability Commission — final reportOfficial / court
News coverage
- NBC News — DHS shootings list (Martinez)Perceived liberal
- CNN — how the government’s case fell apartPerceived liberal
- Chicago Sun-Times — bodycam / lawsuitPerceived liberal
- AP News — attorneys release contradicting recordsPerceived neutral