2/21/2026 | USA | general | ✓ Verified - cbsnews.com

Records show ICE agent fatally shot U.S. citizen nearly a year ago in Texas

#ICE shooting #Ruben Ray Martinez #South Padre Island #Texas lawmaker hearing #Immigration enforcement #Federal agent #Transparency issue #Trump deportation policies

📌 Key Takeaways

Texas Democratic Rep. Ray Lopez is forcing a public hearing into ICE agent's fatal shooting of U.S. citizen
ICE's involvement in the March 2025 shooting was concealed for over 11 months
The shooting occurred during traffic control after a car accident when Martinez allegedly accelerated toward an agent
Martinez's family discovered ICE's involvement through news reports, not authorities
The case is part of a pattern of fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents

📖 Full Retelling

Texas Democratic state Rep. Ray Lopez is seeking a public hearing into the March 15, 2025 fatal shooting of 23-year-old U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in South Padre Island, a case where ICE's involvement was not disclosed for over 11 months despite initial reporting of the incident. Lopez invoked a newly created state legislative rule requiring Committee Chairman Cole Hefner, a Republican, to schedule a hearing, marking the first public use of this provision adopted during the 89th Legislative Session. The shooting occurred when ICE agents were assisting South Padre Island police with traffic control following a major car accident, with internal reports indicating that Martinez failed to follow instructions before accelerating toward an agent, prompting another agent to fire multiple rounds through an open window. While the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the shooting and stated it occurred in self-defense, the Martinez family only learned of ICE's involvement through news reports rather than from authorities, and has been seeking accountability and transparency for nearly a year.

🏷️ Themes

Transparency, Immigration Enforcement, Government Accountability

📚 Related People & Topics

List of shootings by U.S. immigration agents in the second Trump administration

This is a list of shootings by U.S. immigration agents during the second Trump administration (2025–present). Federal immigration agencies in the United States include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which are both housed in the U.S. Department of H...

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South Padre Island

Barrier Island along the Gulf of Mexico

South Padre Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Texas, located between the Laguna Madre (United States) and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the southernmost section of the Padre Island barrier island system. South Padre Island is not part of the Padre Island National...

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Connections for List of shootings by U.S. immigration agents in the second Trump administration:

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

The incident highlights potential misuse of federal authority and raises questions about transparency in ICE operations. It underscores the need for clear oversight and accountability when federal agents are involved in lethal encounters with U.S. citizens.

Context & Background

ICE agents were present at a traffic incident in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
The agent who was shot by the vehicle fired multiple rounds, killing a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez.
The involvement of ICE was not disclosed until more than a year after the shooting, sparking calls for a public hearing.
Texas Rep. Ray Lopez invoked a new House rule to force a hearing and demand accountability.

What Happens Next

A public hearing is likely to be scheduled by the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs. The investigation will examine the circumstances of the shooting and the role of ICE, and the outcome could influence future federal-state coordination on immigration enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the ICE involvement not disclosed earlier?

The agency did not release the internal report until recent news coverage, leading to a delay in public knowledge.

What is the new Texas House rule that was used?

Rule 4, Section 6A requires a committee chair to promptly schedule a hearing when requested by the vice chair.

What could be the impact of the hearing?

It may result in policy changes, increased oversight, and potentially new guidelines for federal agents operating alongside local law enforcement.

Are there other similar incidents?

Yes, there have been other fatal shootings involving ICE agents in Minnesota and other states over the past year.

Original Source

              Exclusive Politics Records show ICE agent fatally shot U.S. citizen nearly a year ago in Texas, as lawmaker seeks public hearing By Fin Daniel Gómez , Fin Daniel Gómez Political Director and Executive Director of Politics and White House, CBS News Fin Daniel Gómez is CBS News' political director and executive director, Politics and White House. In this role, Gómez oversees the daily White House and political coverage for CBS News and works closely with Washington bureau leadership to inform the Network's political coverage. Read Full Bio Fin Daniel Gómez , Camilo Montoya-Galvez , Camilo Montoya-Galvez Immigration Correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez is the Immigration Correspondent at CBS News, where his reporting is featured across multiple programs and platforms, including national broadcast shows, CBS News 24/7, CBSNews.com and the organization's social media accounts. Read Full Bio Camilo Montoya-Galvez , Nidia Cavazos Updated on: February 21, 2026 / 6:14 PM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google A Texas Democratic lawmaker is invoking a newly created state legislative rule to force a public hearing into the March 2025 fatal shooting of a 23-year-old U.S. citizen by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, a case raising further transparency and oversight questions about the officials enforcing President Trump's deportation crackdown. The proposed hearing would examine the shooting death of Ruben Ray Martinez in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025. While his death was reported at the time, ICE's involvement in the shooting was not disclosed until this week, over 11 months after the shooting. Democratic Texas state Rep. Ray Lopez, who serves as vice chair of the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs, said he formally exercised authority under Rule 4, Section 6A of the Texas House Rules to compel Committee Chairman Cole Hefner, a Republican, to schedule a hearing on Martinez's death. Lopez said it is the fi...
            

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