Witness in Texas immigration shooting case dies in car crash
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Joshua Orta, the passenger in Ruben Ray Martinez's car when Martinez was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent, gave a detailed statement disputing the government's claim that Martinez intentionally ran over an agent; Orta said the car was moving slowly and Martinez did not hit anyone.
- Orta died in a fiery car crash in San Antonio, removing a key eyewitness from the ongoing investigation into Martinez's death, which occurred amid a broader immigration enforcement crackdown resulting in multiple fatal shootings by federal officers.
- The Department of Homeland Security maintained its original statement that Martinez ran over an agent, prompting Martinez's family to prepare a wrongful death lawsuit, while Texas Rangers continue to investigate the shooting.
- Orta's affidavit describes officers surrounding the vehicle, drawing guns
