SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – Newly released internal records from Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly reveal that a 23-year-old man who died in South Texas last March was shot by a federal agent. 

State lawmakers have taken to social media since the reveal, calling for accountability and transparency. 

Fatal ICE shooting in Texas

What we know:

Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, died on March 15, 2025, in South Padre Island, Texas. His death was reported by local outlets at the time, though the incident was referred to as an officer-involved shooting, with no agency revealed. Details were limited in the initial reports. 

Documents were reportedly obtained by American Oversight, a nonprofit watchdog group based in Washington, that reveal the shooting happened during a Homeland Security Investigations immigration enforcement operation. 

The Associated Press says they obtained a statement from DHS saying the driver who was killed “intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigation special agent,” resulting in another agent firing “defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public.” The records are reported to say Martinez was shot through the driver’s side window of a car after disobeying orders to exit the vehicle, and instead accelerating and hitting an officer. The AP said they got no answers from DHS about the 11-month silence regarding Martinez’ death. 

Martinez’s mother reportedly told the AP her son was visiting the beach for his birthday with his best friend. She said her son was “a typical young guy.”

State departments say the case is still active. The AP says the Texas Department of Public Safety declined to add new information. 

Texas lawmakers react

What they’re saying:

State lawmakers have taken to social media to call for action over the alleged cover-up by law enforcement. 

Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), who’s currently in the running for governor, says she has filed a Public Information Act and a legislative oversight inquiry for the release of body camera and dashcam footage related to the fatal shooting. She included the following statement in a Friday evening release:

“A young man was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Texas and it took investigative reporters and a FOIA request to find out about it a year later. This is unacceptable. An American died at the hands of a federal agent and no one knew. This complete lack of accountability is a threat to all Americans and all Texans.” said Hinojosa. “This is now the third American citizen to be shot and killed by ICE in the streets. How many more people have been shot and killed that we don’t know about? Greg Abbott has the power to order state police to release this footage today. I urge him to do so immediately to preserve the rule of law and ensure transparency and accountability for the people of Texas.”

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-Uvalde) says he believes the shooting was part of an operation to target Latinos. His post on X, formerly Twitter, says Martinez is the latest to be “murdered” by federal agents. 

“We just found out ICE agents shot and killed 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez a year ago,” the senator said. “@TxDPS covered it up. DPS is lying when they say they aren’t targeting Latinos, and I’m going to make sure we have justice and accountability.”

Contact: Philip Burn, Communications Director, 214-956-6243

Dallas, Texas (February 20, 2026) – A team from The Salvation Army of Amarillo has been actively serving first responders and evacuees impacted by wildfires sweeping across the Texas Panhandle. Over the past two days, teams have operated at two emergency shelters and one community site, providing meals, drinks, and emotional and spiritual care to those affected.

Under the leadership of Major Tex Ellis, along with two dedicated volunteers, The Salvation Army deployed its Rapid Response Unit to support emergency operations. The team served in Donley County on Tuesday evening and has been supporting response efforts since Wednesday in Potter County. The Salvation Army continues to coordinate closely with local Emergency Management, VOAD partners, and community officials to provide resources as needed.

“We received a request for support on Tuesday evening and quickly mobilized our team and response unit,” said Major Tex Ellis with The Salvation Army in Amarillo. “After more than 30 years of disaster service it is still both humbling and rewarding for me to serve those affected, along with the dedicated first responders, especially when it is right here in our community. The Salvation Army will continue to provide support wherever we can in communities we serve throughout the year.”

The Salvation Army has provided support at the following locations:

• Donley County Activities Center, 4430 State Hwy 70, Clarendon, Texas

• Howardwick City Hall / VFW, 247 Rick Husband Blvd, Howardwick, Texas

• The Church at Bushland, 1800 S FM 2381, Amarillo, Texas

Shelby Rivera, Service Extension Representative with The Salvation Army, has been in contact with VOAD partners and emergency officials in Pampa and Borger regarding requests for meals and hydration support for first responders and potential evacuees. To assist with ongoing needs, Texas Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) is delivering eight pallets of water (four to Amarillo, four to Pampa/Borger) and one pallet of hygiene kits to Pampa on Friday.

The Salvation Army has served 555 meals, 248 drinks, and provided Emotional and Spiritual Care to two individuals in the impacted area.

“More than 30 Texas fire departments have deployed to the area and continue battling the widlfires that have so far burned more than 30,000 acres,” said Kathy Clark, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army in Texas. “The Salvation Army teams will continue to provide support and assess needs in the impacted communities as long as we are needed. We are praying for first responders, affected families, and our teams serving during this emergency.”

To support Salvation Army disaster response in Texas, go to helpsalvationarmy.org. For the most up-to-date disaster information or for details about becoming a disaster volunteer, visit www.salarmyeds.org.

Wendy Lara