Newly released bodycam footage from a fatal shooting involving federal agents appears to directly contradict the official government account regarding the death of Ruben Ray Martinez. While Immigration and Customs Enforcement initially claimed Martinez intentionally ran over an officer, the video evidence suggests a significantly different sequence of events took place.
The original report filed by federal authorities stated that Martinez accelerated his vehicle directly into an agent before officers opened fire to stop the perceived threat. However, the footage obtained by CBS News shows that the vehicle was moving at a very low rate of speed or was completely stationary.
In the video, the car’s brake lights appear to be illuminated for several seconds immediately preceding the moment the federal agent discharged his weapon. Observers note that no law enforcement officer is visible on the hood of the car, which directly challenges the agency's earlier written assertions.
Legal representatives for the Martinez family have stated that the new visual evidence proves the use of deadly force was entirely unjustified and unnecessary. They are now calling for a full independent investigation into the conduct of the agents who were present at the scene on South Padre Island.
The incident occurred in March 2025 during a period of intensified federal law enforcement activity across the country under a nationwide immigration crackdown. Martinez, a twenty-three-year-old United States citizen, was struck multiple times by gunfire while navigating a crowded intersection near a separate traffic accident.
This case has sparked renewed calls for transparency in federal law enforcement operations, especially since the agency's involvement was not disclosed for nearly a year. Civil rights advocates argue that the delay in releasing the footage highlights a troubling lack of accountability within the Department of Homeland Security.
Although a grand jury recently declined to issue a criminal indictment against the agent involved, the family continues to seek civil justice through the court system. They maintain that the public deserves to see the full, unedited recordings to understand the true nature of the fatal confrontation.
As the investigation continues to draw national attention, the discrepancy between official statements and visual evidence remains a focal point for systemic reform advocates. The Martinez case has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle for oversight and truth in federal policing interactions with the public.