Newly released video footage and law enforcement records have brought fresh scrutiny to the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, by a federal immigration agent in Texas last year. The incident, which occurred during a spring break trip to South Padre Island, has raised significant questions about the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) initial claims that Martinez deliberately rammed an agent with his car before he was shot.
The footage, including body camera videos from officers at the scene, provides the first visual account of the shooting that took place on March 15, 2025. The videos, along with other records, were released on a Friday following public records requests by The Associated Press and other media organizations. Martinez’s death was the earliest of at least six fatal shootings by federal agents since President Donald Trump intensified immigration enforcement during his second term. This case is also part of a growing number of incidents where video evidence has contradicted early official narratives promoted by the administration.
The Texas Rangers completed their investigation into the shooting last month, concluding their work after a grand jury declined to bring criminal charges against the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Supervisory Special Agent Jack Stevens, who fired the shots that killed Martinez. According to documents from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Stevens said in a written statement that he fired to protect fellow agents, police officers, and the public from what he believed was a potential terrorist attack intended to cause mass casualties.
DHS officials initially stated that Stevens fired in self-defense after Martinez intentionally ran over a fellow agent, who ended up on the hood of the vehicle. However, the newly released body camera videos tell a different story. The footage, taken from behind Martinez’s car, does not clearly show the vehicle striking any agent. Moreover, another video shows Joshua Orta, who was a passenger in Martinez’s car at the time, telling investigators that Martinez had no intention of harming the officers. Orta explained that Martinez “panicked” because he feared arrest due to driving while intoxicated, stating, “He didn’t know what to do. Like he definitely didn’t want to go to jail. But as far as like running over an officer ... he wouldn’t do that.”
Attempts to obtain comment from DHS spokespersons regarding the videos were unsuccessful. Notably, while local media initially reported that the shooting involved a police officer, DHS did not publicly acknowledge the involvement of its agents until after The Associated Press and other outlets reported on the matter last month.
The events leading to the shooting began when Martinez and Orta traveled from their hometown of San Antonio to South Padre Island, a popular spring break destination. The two had been drinking and smoking marijuana before heading out again late at night. Around midnight, Martinez was driving his blue Ford sedan near a busy intersection where South Padre Island police officers were directing traffic around a two-car collision. Also present were three HSI agents who had been temporarily reassigned to conduct immigration enforcement as part of a maritime border security task force.
Body camera footage captured by two police officers shows Martinez’s car slowly approaching the intersection. Vehicles were being directed to turn left, but Martinez’s car appeared to continue straight. The car slows to nearly a complete stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, then proceeds slowly into the intersection before stopping again as several HSI agents approach, shouting commands for the driver to stop. Special Agent Hector Sosa moves in front of the car, while Stevens is positioned on the driver's side, reaching toward the door.
Officers can be heard shouting “Get him out, get him out,” as Martinez’s car begins to slowly move forward and turn left. Stevens keeps pace with the vehicle, leaning toward the open driver’s side window. Suddenly, Stevens draws his weapon and fires three rapid shots through the window before retreating. The entire sequence lasts approximately 15 seconds.
Following the gunfire, the car quickly stops, and officers pull Martinez from the vehicle, handcuffing him. Orta, the passenger, is also handcuffed and removed from the car. Martinez remains cuffed and motionless on the ground for about a minute, after which paramedics attending the earlier traffic accident begin to provide medical aid.
An autopsy later revealed that all three bullets fired by Stevens struck Martinez. The bullets traveled through his left arm before entering his torso, damaging vital organs including the heart, lungs, and liver. The report also showed Martinez’s blood alcohol content was 0.12