2/2
“Ruben did not hit anyone. Without warning, commands, or an opportunity to comply, the agent fired multiple shots from an extremely close distance—no more than two feet. I heard Ruben say, ‘I’m sorry,’ and then he slumped backward.”
The grand jury still declined to indict the ICE agent who shot Ruben.
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Let’s be honest about what this case shows:
ICE claimed he ran over an agent.
The video contradicts that claim.
ICE justified deadly force.
The evidence suggests there was no imminent threat.
ICE withheld the truth for nearly a year.
And a grand jury declining to bring charges does not answer any of that.
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Under the law, deadly force is only justified when there is an immediate threat of death or serious harm.
Not confusion.
Not panic.
Not a slow-moving car.
An actual, immediate threat.
That standard exists for a reason.
Because when it is ignored—
People die.
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Ruben Ray Martinez did not have to die.
He was 23 years old.
A U.S. citizen.
Sitting in a car.
And ICE shot him anyway.
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This is Death #25.
And this one strips away any illusion of distance or justification:
If this can happen to a 23-year-old American citizen on a birthday trip—
It can happen to anyone.
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At least 193 people have died in ICE or Border Patrol related incidents since January 20th, 2025.
I will continue to tell their stories.
One story at a time.
If this story matters to you—share it.
Make sure people know his name:
Ruben Ray Martinez.
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Sources:
• NPR — “ICE shooting of Texas man Ruben Ray Martinez raises questions as video emerges” (April 15, 2026)
• CBS News — “Bodycam video shows fatal ICE shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez in Texas”
• Texas Tribune — Reporting on South Padre Island shooting and investigative findings
• Associated Press — Coverage of ICE agent shooting and federal response
• KRGV Channel 5 News (Rio Grande Valley) — Local reporting on incident and aftermath
• KSAT 12 News (San Antonio) — Family interviews and background on Ruben Ray Martinez
• American Oversight — Released federal records related to the shooting and disclosure timeline
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Official statements and use-of-force justification
• Texas Department of Public Safety — Incident reports and investigative materials
• Cameron County / South Texas authorities — Local law enforcement response details
• Grand Jury Records (Texas) — Decision declining to indict the HSI agent
• Family interviews (multiple outlets including CBS, KSAT, NPR)
• Legacy .com — Obituary of Ruben Ray Martinez
• U.S. Supreme Court — Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985)