Newly released body camera and surveillance videos are raising questions about the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old U.S. citizen by a federal immigration agent during a beach trip in Texas last year.
The footage, released Friday after public records requests by The Associated Press and other media outlets, shows the moments leading up to the death of Ruben Ray Martinez, who was shot by a federal agent during a traffic incident on March 15, 2025.
Incident During Traffic Scene
According to investigators, Martinez and his friend Joshua Orta were driving through South Padre Island shortly after midnight when they encountered police directing traffic around a crash. Three agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were also at the scene assisting officers.
Bodycam footage shows Martinez’s car slowly approaching the intersection before stopping for pedestrians. As agents approached the vehicle and shouted commands, the car began moving slowly forward while turning left.
One agent, identified as Supervisory Special Agent Jack Stevens, fired three shots through the driver’s side window within seconds. Martinez was struck by all three bullets and later died from his injuries.
Conflicting Accounts
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously stated that the driver intentionally ran over an agent, prompting the shooting. However, the newly released videos do not clearly show the vehicle striking an officer.
In a statement to investigators, Stevens said he fired to protect fellow agents and believed the vehicle could be used as a weapon, fearing a potential mass-casualty attack.
A passenger in the car, Orta, told investigators Martinez had panicked because he feared being arrested for driving while intoxicated.
“He definitely didn’t want to go to jail,” Orta said, adding he did not believe Martinez intended to harm officers.
Investigation Closed
The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting, but a grand jury declined to file criminal charges against Stevens.
An autopsy found Martinez had a blood alcohol level of 0.12%, above the legal driving limit in Texas.
Attorneys representing Martinez’s mother said the newly released footage suggests the car was barely moving when the shots were fired and are continuing to push for more transparency in the case.
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