Chicago woman shot 5 times by an immigration officer sues the US government

Key Points:

• Marimar Martinez, an American-born citizen shot multiple times by a federal immigration officer in Chicago in 2025, has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government seeking accountability for the agent involved, Charles Exum.
• The lawsuit challenges the Department of Homeland Security's initial claims, presenting forensic evidence that Exum fired five shots into Martinez's vehicle without warning, striking her seven times, despite her not posing an immediate threat.
• Martinez's attorneys criticize the Department of Justice for not pressing charges against Exum a year after the incident and accuse the agent of excessive and unjustified use of force during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown known as Operation Midway Blitz.
• The Trump administration previously labeled Martinez a "domestic terrorist" and alleged she was armed and aggressive, but charges against her were dismissed in November 2025, and subsequent evidence contradicted the government's narrative.
• This lawsuit follows similar legal actions by families of other individuals fatally shot by federal immigration officers, highlighting ongoing concerns about law enforcement accountability during immigration enforcement operations.