By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Three months into President Donald Trump’s mass deportation undertaking, an ICE officer shot and killed a U.S. citizen in South Padre Island, long before immigration agents killed another American in Minnesota that prompted outrage across the nation, according to records released this week that were not previously disclosed by the government. Agents assigned to a Department of Homeland Security subagency fatally shot 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez of San Antonio multiple times in the early hours of March 15 while they helped local police direct traffic at the scene of a car crash. DHS confirmed the shooting, accusing Martinez of “intentionally” running over an agent, who sustained a knee injury. The shooting, which resulted in Martinez’s death, is currently being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Rangers.
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It’s quite striking to learn that a U.S. citizen was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Texas months before another incident involving immigration agents in Minnesota sparked national outrage. This happened during the early stages of President Trump’s push for mass deportations, specifically three months into that initiative. Records that have only recently come to light, and were not previously shared by the government, reveal this tragic event.
The individual in question was 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez from San Antonio. He was fatally shot multiple times by agents affiliated with a subagency of the Department of Homeland Security. This occurred in the early morning hours of March 15th. The agents were reportedly assisting local police with traffic control at the scene of a car accident when the shooting took place. These details are emerging from records released by American Oversight, a non-profit watchdog organization.
The fact that this incident in Texas seemingly didn’t garner significant news coverage, even within the state, is rather concerning. It brings to mind past rhetoric, like that from the NRA’s Wayne LaPierre, who described federal law enforcement officers as “jack-booted thugs” capable of harming ordinary citizens. Now, to add a deeply unsettling layer to this story, the only witness who had provided their account of the shooting has reportedly died in a car accident. This development raises serious questions about transparency and accountability.
It’s almost as if the prevailing attitude, particularly in places like Texas, is that if an event isn’t captured on video, it might as well not have happened. The circumstances surrounding ICE agents’ actions, such as them allegedly stepping in front of vehicles to claim self-defense, are also a point of concern that has been raised. This pattern of events makes one wonder about the accuracy of reporting within other federal facilities as well, with suggestions that deaths in what are described as “DHS concentration camps” might be significantly underreported.
The sentiment expressed is that certain groups, perhaps even Texans themselves, are perceived as not standing up for themselves sufficiently. This is coupled with an observation that Texas might be considered the “weakest state” in this regard. When considering the broader context of federal operations within the state, there’s a critique that elected officials, like Governor Greg Abbott and other GOP leaders, have shown a lack of resistance to federal actions under the Trump administration. The fact that they are Texans is seen as making this deference even more disappointing.
The comparison is drawn to other instances where law enforcement has been criticized for their actions, such as the response by Uvalde police during the school shooting. The question is raised about how ICE agents frequently confiscate phones and how assaults and even deaths that occur on video don’t seem to deter them, especially when actions are perceived as being “approved by the thug in chief.” This suggests a broader pattern of behavior by federal agents that operates with perceived impunity.
The focus on just the fatalities is also seen as potentially narrow, with an argument that injuries and inadequate medical care in these detention facilities should also be a significant area of attention. The circumstances surrounding the death of the key witness in the Texas shooting further complicate the narrative. This witness, Mr. Orta, had given his statement in September to lawyers representing Mr. Martinez’s family, intending to cooperate with investigators hired by the family. His death in a car crash on a San Antonio highway, just before he was to sign his statement, is undeniably a critical development.
The scenario described is almost surreal: ICE agents arriving at the scene of a crash, seemingly to help, only for the situation to turn deadly for the survivor. It paints a grim picture, with some likening the situation to practices seen in countries like Russia. The lack of comment from Governor Abbott’s office, referring questions to DHS, and the silence from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Rep. Dustin Burrows on this matter, further fuels the perception of inaction or a deliberate withholding of information. It all contributes to a troubling narrative about the power dynamics at play and the accessibility of justice for those affected.