Bodycam Footage Challenges ICE Narrative in Fatal Shooting of U.S. Citizen Ruben Ray Martinez
Bodycam footage from March 2025 reveals a starkly different narrative regarding the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old American citizen, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in South Padre Island, Texas. The video contradicts federal claims that Martinez "accelerated" his vehicle and "intentionally ran over" an agent.
On March 15, 2025, local news outlets reported the incident, but it wasn't until February of this year that ICE confirmed one of its agents had shot Martinez. An internal report from ICE stated that Martinez "accelerated forward" and struck an agent, prompting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assert that the agent fired "defensive shots" into Martinez's vehicle.
However, the newly surfaced body camera footage shows Martinez's blue Ford Fusion either stationary or moving at a very slow speed when he was shot. The brake lights were illuminated as gunfire erupted, suggesting he was not posing an immediate threat.
After being shot three times, Martinez was forcibly removed from his vehicle and thrown to the ground by an ICE agent, where he was handcuffed. The video indicates that no medical assistance was rendered until after he was restrained.
Inquiries made to DHS regarding the footage have yet to receive a response. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) conducted an investigation into the shooting, but a grand jury declined to issue any criminal indictments.
Eyewitness Joshua Orta, who was a passenger in the vehicle during the incident, previously expressed doubts about the official account. In a draft declaration, he stated that Martinez did not hit anyone and was attempting to comply with police commands. Tragically, Orta passed away in a separate car accident last month before he could finalize his statement.
Texas DPS recently released numerous records related to their investigation, including an interview with Orta. He recounted that he and Martinez had consumed alcohol earlier that evening and were driving from Whataburger to a friend's condo when they encountered heavy police presence. Orta described how Martinez became "jittery" and "panicked" when ordered to stop, leading him to inadvertently press the gas pedal slightly.
Orta clarified that while Martinez's car moved slightly, it was not at high speed. He recalled an officer climbing onto the hood of the vehicle but insisted that Martinez did not hit anyone. Following the command to stop, Orta heard gunshots.
When asked why Martinez did not stop, Orta suggested that his friend was overwhelmed and possibly anxious about an open container in the car. He emphasized that Martinez would never intentionally harm an officer.
Rachel Reyes, Martinez's mother, expressed her struggle for closure in her first television interview since her son's death. She criticized the lack of transparency from investigators and called for reforms in how immigration agents operate. "I don't blame President Trump for my son's death," she stated, acknowledging her support for him in the 2024 election. "But I do think something needs to change regarding patterns of violence and impunity within that department."
The bodycam footage originates from a South Padre Island police officer present during the incident. ICE has claimed that its agents were assisting local law enforcement with traffic control following a car accident.
Approximately 21 minutes into the video, Martinez's vehicle is seen approaching a heavily policed area. Officers can be heard instructing him to "keep going," and his car stops for pedestrians. Tensions escalate as officers shout commands to stop him, followed by urgent calls to "get him out." Moments later, three gunshots ring out as Martinez's vehicle appears to be moving slowly or not at all.
The video captures the aftermath of the shooting, showing officers directing Martinez and Orta to exit the vehicle. An ICE agent is seen pulling Martinez from the car and throwing him to the ground before handcuffing him. Medical assistance is delayed until after he is restrained.
Emergency responders eventually arrive to provide care, checking for exit wounds on Martinez's body nearly two minutes after he was shot. His family’s attorneys have stated that this footage raises significant doubts about the official narrative surrounding the shooting.
"These new videos confirm that Ruben's car was barely moving when he was shot," said attorneys Charles M. Stam and Alex Stamm. They emphasized that no one was on the hood of his car at the time of the shooting and that he was shot at close range by an ICE agent who faced no immediate danger.
The body camera also recorded an officer briefing the South Padre Island police chief about half an hour post-incident, where he inaccurately claimed that Martinez had accelerated towards officers before being shot.
Orta noted that he and Martinez had gone to South Padre Island to celebrate his birthday, enjoying food and drinks prior to the incident. A toxicology report following Martinez's death indicated alcohol and marijuana in his system; however, his attorney pointed out that he was never stopped on suspicion of intoxication.
"It's crucial to remember that when Ruben lost his life, his car was in park," Stam remarked. "This was not someone who posed a threat." The preliminary briefing captured on body camera footage also suggested that Martinez admitted to having alcohol in his vehicle.
