Ruben Ray Martinez
Killed · ICE · South Padre Island, Texas
What happened
During a late-night traffic encounter tied to an HSI immigration operation with local police, Martinez was fatally shot. DHS later said he intentionally ran over an agent. Federal involvement was not noticed widely until FOIA records surfaced in February 2026—nearly a year later.
Resistance to arrest
DHS said Martinez intentionally ran over / struck an HSI agent during a traffic encounter tied to an immigration operation, prompting defensive fire. Bodycam released later did not clearly corroborate a ramming attack. He was a U.S. citizen on a beach trip—not described as the immigration arrest target.
Officer / agency involvement
HSI Supervisory Special Agent Jack Stevens fired through the open driver’s window.
Official / DHS account
DHS said Martinez intentionally struck / ran over an HSI agent, prompting defensive fire. An agent was treated for a knee injury.
Contested points & other evidence
Bodycam and other video released after records requests did not clearly corroborate a ramming attack; a passenger and Martinez’s mother cited contradictory accounts. Texas Rangers closed the case after a grand jury declined to indict the agent.
Investigation status
Texas grand jury declined indictments (2026); Texas Rangers closed investigation. No federal charges against the agent in that reporting.
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.
News coverage
- CBS News — bodycam contradicts ICE claimsPerceived liberal
- CNN — records reveal HSI shootingPerceived liberal
- AP News — records reveal HSI shootingPerceived neutral
- BBC — footage of U.S. citizen shot at traffic stopPerceived neutral
No separate court filing or agency record is linked yet for this case—news accounts below may quote those documents. Primary links will be added when publicly available.