Close Friend of U.S. Citizen Shot by ICE Agent in Texas Challenges Official Narrative

A 23-year-old American citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez, was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in South Padre Island, Texas, in March 2025. The details surrounding the incident have come under scrutiny following a declaration from Joshua Orta, a close friend and passenger in Martinez's vehicle, who contested the official narrative provided by federal authorities.

Martinez's death, initially reported by local media, only revealed the involvement of an ICE agent last week, nearly a year after the incident. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agent fired "defensive shots" after Martinez allegedly failed to comply with instructions and struck another agent with his vehicle. The agency confirmed that Martinez was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital.

However, Orta's declaration, dated September 2025, contradicts this account. "I was present, and I state clearly and without hesitation that Ruben did not hit anyone," he asserted. Orta had intended to sign this declaration in person but tragically died in a separate car accident shortly before he could do so.

Alex Stamm, an attorney representing Martinez's family, expressed condolences for Orta's family while emphasizing the loss of a crucial eyewitness. "He told us that Ruben's car was barely moving when he was shot and killed by an officer who was off to the side of the car," Stamm stated. "He also told us unequivocally that Ruben did not hit anyone."

The declaration suggests that Martinez's family may pursue a wrongful death claim. Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Public Safety continues its investigation into the shooting.

An internal ICE report released by a nonprofit organization aligns with the timeline of Martinez's death. It describes agents from ICE's Homeland Security Investigations assisting local police with traffic control following a car accident. The report indicates that a blue Ford approached the area where agents were directing traffic but failed to follow instructions, leading to a confrontation.

According to the report, after commands were issued, the vehicle slowed down but then allegedly accelerated forward, striking one of the agents. In response, another agent fired multiple rounds through an open window. Martinez received first aid at the scene before being transported to a hospital in Brownsville, where he was declared dead.

Orta recounted their activities leading up to the incident, describing a day spent celebrating at South Padre Island. After enjoying drinks and attempting to enter a club, they encountered a traffic stop where law enforcement noticed an open container of alcohol in their vehicle. Orta recalled that one officer instructed them to turn around and leave, but another officer approached their car aggressively.

"I later learned that the trooper's report said that Ruben had 'hit' the officer. That's not true," Orta insisted. He described how they were merely coasting when officers began yelling at them to stop and drew their weapons.

"This was crazy to me because we were only crawling like the car was in gear, but just coasting," Orta explained. "The troopers were never in danger from Ruben and could have easily stepped aside while we tried to turn around and leave."

As they attempted to turn around, an ICE agent approached their vehicle. "Without giving any warning, commands, or opportunity to comply, the agent fired multiple shots at Ruben from an extremely close distance—no more than two feet," Orta recounted. "I heard Ruben say, 'I'm sorry,' and then he slumped backward."

Orta characterized the shooting as "unjustified," asserting that Martinez was unarmed and not posing a threat at the time he was shot. "Ruben was unarmed, non-violent, not fleeing, and not resisting at the time he was shot," he stated emphatically.

Representatives for DHS have yet to respond to Orta's allegations. Previously, the agency maintained that the ICE agent acted in defense against what they claimed was an intentional act by Martinez to run over another agent.