New body camera footage, released after a legal battle for transparency, has called into question the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) narrative on the death of Rubén Ray Martínez, a 23-year-old US citizen shot by a federal agent in Texas. The incident took place on March 15, 2025, in South Padre Island, during Spring Break vacation.
The initial government version claimed that Martínez used his vehicle as a weapon. A DHS spokesperson stated that the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent fired in self-defense after the driver "intentionally ran over" his colleague, "causing him to end up on the hood of the vehicle." However, the recently released footage offers a different visual account.
The footage shows that Martinez's car was barely moving when Agent Jack Stevens opened fire. Stevens, who fired the fatal shots, justified his actions by claiming he feared a terrorist attack and described the young man's state as follows: "The driver's eyes were wide open, fist clenched on the steering wheel, and he was looking past the present agents while not obeying the loud and repeated verbal commands from several law enforcement officers."
Joshua Orta, a friend of the victim who was in the passenger seat, provided an explanation based on fear rather than aggression. According to Orta, Martinez "panicked" upon seeing the police deployment because he had been drinking and feared the legal consequences. "He didn't know what to do. I mean, he definitely didn't want to go to jail," the witness told investigators, adding firmly: "But as for running over an agent... he wouldn't do that." Regarding the moment of impact that the DHS describes as an intentional run-over, Orta clarified: "I saw the agent kind of get on the hood. I mean, he didn't hit him, but it's like, you know what I mean, his feet got caught."
According to his testimony, the car "was moving slowly and they started shooting." This case is the first of at least six fatal shootings involving federal agents since President Donald Trump launched an aggressive immigration crackdown in his second term. Despite the doubts raised by the video, a grand jury declined to bring criminal charges against Agent Stevens. Martinez's family lawyers allege that information has been concealed and maintain that "this set of evidence does not show any justification for Ruben's death." While the DHS remains silent in the face of the new evidence, the case reignites the debate on the impunity of security forces under the current US administration.