South Padre Island

South Padre Island, Texas, is the location where a U.S. citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez, was fatally shot by a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent in March 2025. This incident, which occurred during a traffic encounter, was not publicly disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security until media outlets reported on it. The shooting is newsworthy as it represents one of at least six deadly shootings by federal officers since the start of a nationwide immigration crackdown. A grand jury rejected indictments related to the shooting. The incident raises questions about the use of force by federal agents and the transparency of government agencies regarding such events, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement policies.