Newly released bodycam footage appears to directly contradict official statements from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez, a U.S. citizen, in Texas. The video suggests Martinez's vehicle was stationary or moving slowly at the time of the shooting, and that its brake lights were illuminated, undermining the claim that Martinez intentionally struck an agent with his car. ICE’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had asserted that Martinez was shot while attempting to run over an agent, necessitating “defensive shots.”
The bodycam footage, observed across multiple reports, shows Martinez's blue Ford Fusion in slow motion or completely stopped when the gunshots occur. Critically, the vehicle's brake lights appear to be on during these moments. Following the shots, officers are seen extracting Martinez from the vehicle and placing him on the ground before he is handcuffed and receives medical attention.
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Joshua Orta, the passenger in Martinez's vehicle, has provided a declaration stating that Martinez did not hit an officer and that a federal agent fired into the driver's side window without warning. Orta’s account directly disputes the assertion that Martinez's vehicle struck an officer. While initial police reports vaguely described the car striking an agent, they did not mention the subsequent shooting. Orta, who was reportedly celebrating Martinez's birthday with him, has since died in an unrelated car accident.
Attorneys for Martinez's mother, Rachel Reyes, argue that the footage casts doubt on ICE's narrative. ="I just started hearing ringing,” he said. I don't see the justification for it on the video,” said Martinez family attorney Butch Hayes,= reflecting on the video. Hayes indicated the footage shows Martinez being directed to move and then making a slow turn, which does not align with the DHS’s claim of an intentional act to run over an agent. =Martinez's mother continues to seek answers.=
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Contrary to DHS claims of Martinez posing a threat with a weapon, video evidence reportedly shows him holding a phone, not a firearm, to record the agents prior to the shooting. =Alcohol and marijuana were detected in Martinez's system,= as noted by the attorneys.
The incident occurred in South Padre Island, where Martinez and Orta had reportedly gone to celebrate Martinez's birthday.= Orta had expressed concern earlier that evening about Martinez possibly receiving a citation for driving while intoxicated. =ICE has since confirmed that one of its agents killed Martinez.=