CHICAGO (RTWNEWS) — A Border Patrol commander has been publicly commended for his actions following a controversial shooting that left Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen, seriously injured during an immigration crackdown in Chicago last year. Evidence released by Martinez’s legal team indicates systemic mishandling by the Trump administration regarding the investigation into the incident.
Martinez, who worked as a Montessori teaching assistant, was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent while she was in her vehicle. Initial allegations from Homeland Security claimed that Martinez attempted to ram agents with her vehicle; however, this was refuted once video evidence surfaced showing the agent's vehicle colliding with hers.
After public scrutiny, the felony charges against Martinez were swiftly dropped. Her attorneys have advocated for the release of evidence surrounding the now-dismissed case, especially following another fatal incident where a federal agent shot a Minneapolis woman under similar circumstances. They claim that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made false assertions about Martinez, labeling her a “domestic terrorist,” and presenting unverified claims of her history of targeting federal agents — accusations that remain without any supporting evidence.
Federal attorney Christopher Parente expressed skepticism about the integrity of federal officials during a news conference unveiling the documents. One particularly incriminating piece of evidence described by Parente included a hand-drawn diagram allegedly by an agent, which inaccurately depicted the scene of the shooting.
“This is a time where we just cannot trust the words of our federal officials,” he stated.
Alarming revelations included a group text among agents celebrating the actions of the officer who shot Martinez, which exemplifies a troubling culture within the agency. The texts included remarks where the shooter touted his experience, noting, I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys.”
Martinez's ongoing legal battle includes pursuing complaints under the Federal Tort Claims Act due to the department’s negligence. If claims are denied, her representation will move forward with a federal lawsuit. She has described the traumatic impact of the incident, expressing ongoing mistrust of law enforcement despite carrying a concealed weapon lawfully at the time.
Martinez's testimony before Congress has shed light on the troubling practices of DHS and the perceived racial bias in enforcement actions, stating that targeted individuals often share certain demographic traits.
