US citizen shot and killed by federal immigration agent last year, new records show

The Guardian - World News Legal & JudicialNews ReportEN 3 min read 100% complete by Associated PressFebruary 21, 2026 at 02:11 AM

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Videos show US citizen’s shooting death in Texas last year by federal immigration agent

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Newly released records reveal that a U.S. citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez, was fatally shot by a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent in South Padre Island, Texas, in March 2025 during an immigration enforcement operation. The incident, which was not publicly disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) until recently, occurred during a late-night traffic encounter. According to DHS, the shooting happened after Martinez allegedly intentionally struck an agent with his vehicle, prompting another agent to fire defensive shots. The records, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by American Oversight, indicate HSI was assisting local police with traffic control following an accident when the incident occurred. The DHS has not explained why the shooting was not publicly announced for 11 months.

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Human Interest

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

Martinez's mother said he was celebrating his birthday weekend at South Padre Island.

quote — Rachel Reyes100% confidence

The shooting involved a Homeland Security Investigations team conducting an immigration enforcement operation.

factual — Article, citing documents obtained by American Oversight100% confidence

DHS said the shooting occurred after the driver intentionally struck an agent.

quote — DHS100% confidence

The shooting occurred during a late-night traffic encounter on South Padre Island.

factual — Article100% confidence

A US citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez, was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent in Texas last year.

factual — Article100% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

San Antonio 40% Rachel Reyes 50% United States ×260% Donald Trump 60% American Oversight 70% Texas 70% Immigration and Customs Enforcement 70% South Padre Island ×370% Homeland Security Investigations ×380% Department of Homeland Security ×380% Ruben Ray Martinez ×490%

Keywords

fatal shooting 90% immigration enforcement 80% homeland security investigations 70% officer-involved shooting 70% us citizen 60% south padre island 50% traffic encounter 50% freedom of information act 40%