Texas U.S. citizen was fatally shot by an immigration agent last year during a stop, new records show
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent during a late-night traffic stop on South Padre Island, Texas, in March 2025, an incident not publicly disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) until recently.
- The shooting occurred after Martinez allegedly struck a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent with his vehicle; the agent then fired multiple shots through the driver's side window, resulting in Martinez's death.
- Martinez's family and attorneys have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and are calling for a full investigation, noting Martinez had no prior criminal record and was reportedly complying with local police traffic directions.
- The Texas Rangers are leading the ongoing state investigation
