By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following a major accident, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent fired “defensive shots” after a driver allegedly “intentionally ran over” another federal agent. The driver, identified as Ruben Ray Martinez, was killed, while the injured agent sustained a knee injury. The incident, which occurred in South Padre Island, Texas, is currently under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The family of Ruben Ray Martinez is seeking transparency and accountability surrounding the events of that day, questioning HSI’s presence and the fatal shooting.
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The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that a fatal shooting involving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent resulted in the death of a U.S. citizen in March 2025. This incident, which took place in South Padre Island, Texas, involved a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent firing what the agency described as “defensive shots” at a driver. The DHS statement indicates that the driver “intentionally ran over” another federal agent, leading to the retaliatory gunfire.
Details surrounding the shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, were not immediately made public by ICE. However, new information has since surfaced through internal ICE records obtained by the watchdog group American Oversight via a Freedom of Information Act request. These records provide a glimpse into the events that transpired and have been reviewed by Newsweek, bringing the incident into sharper focus.
According to the DHS statement provided to Newsweek, HSI agents were on the scene to assist the South Padre Island Police Department following a significant accident. The agency spokesperson elaborated that a driver operating a blue Ford “intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigation special agent,” causing the agent to end up on the hood of the vehicle. It was in direct response to this alarming situation that another agent, perceiving an immediate threat, discharged their firearm. The agency maintains that these shots were fired defensively to protect themselves, their colleagues, and members of the general public who were present.
The driver, identified as Ruben Ray Martinez, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The agent who was reportedly struck and ended up on the hood of the vehicle sustained a knee injury and was also taken to the hospital for treatment. Newsweek has stated that they have been unable to independently corroborate the agency’s account of the events, which highlights a persistent challenge in verifying official narratives in such sensitive incidents.
This confirmation raises further questions and concerns, echoing past criticisms leveled against DHS agencies. It has been suggested that in numerous instances where DHS personnel have been involved in fatal encounters, the agency has claimed self-defense, even when subsequent evidence, including video, has reportedly contradicted these assertions. This pattern has led to a deep-seated skepticism among some observers regarding the accuracy and transparency of official statements.
The notion of “defensive shots” has become a point of contention, with critics suggesting it is frequently used as justification for actions that may not be warranted. The account of an agent being on the hood of a vehicle and then remaining there as a target also strikes some as peculiar, prompting calls for more thorough investigations and greater transparency. The lack of immediate public disclosure and the reliance on internal records obtained through FOIA requests further fuel suspicions of an attempt to control the narrative or delay public scrutiny.
The incident has also brought to the forefront the ongoing debate about qualified immunity for law enforcement officers and the broader calls for accountability within federal agencies like ICE. The sentiment that there is a lack of footage and accountability for such incidents is palpable, with many arguing that without independent video evidence, it is difficult to trust official statements. The recurring nature of these events, as suggested by some comments referencing a “running count” of ICE-related fatalities and injuries, underscores a broader societal concern about the use of force by federal agents.
Furthermore, the assertion that the agent was “ran over” but ended up on the hood of the car, rather than under it, has been questioned. This detail, coupled with the inherent danger of being in front of a moving vehicle, has led some to believe the agent’s actions might have been reckless, regardless of the driver’s intent. The argument is that even if an agent was hit by a car, it should not automatically equate to a death penalty, especially if other agents were not in immediate peril.
The public response to this news has been varied, with some expressing outrage and demanding immediate charges against the agent involved. Others are more measured, emphasizing the need for irrefutable evidence before judgment is passed, but still maintaining a critical stance given the agency’s history. There’s a strong undercurrent of distrust, with many stating they would not believe anything coming out of DHS without video proof. The discussion also touches upon the perceived dangers of ICE as an organization, with some labeling it a “domestic terrorist organization,” and the political climate surrounding such agencies. The recurring theme is a demand for transparency and tangible proof to validate official accounts of fatal encounters.