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Bodycam footage contradicts ICE account of US citizen's fatal shooting in Texas

Oct 4, 2026·Location: South Padre Island, TX

Bodycam footage contradicts ICE account of US citizen's fatal shooting in Texas
Photo via sacurrent.com

Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen from San Antonio, was fatally shot three times by Homeland Security Investigations Agent Jack Stevens on South Padre Island while traveling with his best friend, Joshua Orta, to celebrate his birthday. Federal officials initially claimed Martinez struck an agent with his car after refusing orders, but bodycam footage obtained through a FOIA lawsuit showed his vehicle stationary or barely moving, with brake lights on, when he was shot; he was then pulled from the car, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed before receiving medical care. Orta, the only civilian witness, told investigators Martinez was 'hesitant' and 'scared'; he later died in a car crash less than a year after the shooting. Martinez's mother, Rachel Reyes, said Texas Rangers investigators told her the footage contradicted the agents' account. The government did not disclose the shooting for nearly a year, until the nonprofit American Oversight obtained the incident report. A Texas grand jury declined to indict Stevens, and the family has filed a tort claim against the federal government.

Timeline

Oct 4, 2026—Report reveals government concealed the shooting for nearly a year until American Oversight obtained the incident report
May 26, 2026—Bodycam footage obtained via FOIA lawsuit reveals Martinez's car was stationary when he was shot, contradicting official account
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