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ICE Agent Jack Stevens Named in 2025 Martinez Shooting as Grand Jury Declines Indictment

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  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a news conference with Texas lawmakers at the Governor’s Mansion on July 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
    California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a news conference with Texas lawmakers at the Governor’s Mansion on July 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
    Image: Newsweek
    California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a news conference with Texas lawmakers at the Governor’s Mansion on July 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Source Full size
  • Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot by a federal agent in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
    Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot by a federal agent in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot by a federal agent in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025. Source Full size
  • : An ICE officers badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 10, 2025 in New York City.
    : An ICE officers badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 10, 2025 in New York City.
    Image: Newsweek
    : An ICE officers badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 10, 2025 in New York City. Source Full size
  • Image: Newsweek
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  • File image shows ICE agents on February 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a family handout image shows Ruben Ray Martinez, who was shot by federal agents in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
    File image shows ICE agents on February 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a family handout image shows Ruben Ray Martinez, who was shot by federal agents in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    File image shows ICE agents on February 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a family handout image shows Ruben Ray Martinez, who was shot by federal agents in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025. Source Full size
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  • Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot by a federal agent in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
    Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot by a federal agent in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot by a federal agent in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025. Source Full size
  • : An ICE officers badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 10, 2025 in New York City.
    : An ICE officers badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 10, 2025 in New York City.
    Image: Newsweek
    : An ICE officers badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 10, 2025 in New York City. Source Full size
  • File image shows ICE agents on February 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a family handout image shows Ruben Ray Martinez, who was shot by federal agents in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
    File image shows ICE agents on February 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a family handout image shows Ruben Ray Martinez, who was shot by federal agents in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    File image shows ICE agents on February 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a family handout image shows Ruben Ray Martinez, who was shot by federal agents in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025. Source Full size
  • Image: Newsweek
    Source Full size
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a news conference with Texas lawmakers at the Governor’s Mansion on July 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
    California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a news conference with Texas lawmakers at the Governor’s Mansion on July 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
    Image: Newsweek
    California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a news conference with Texas lawmakers at the Governor’s Mansion on July 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Source Full size
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  • Photo non datée de Ruben Ray Martinez, abattu par un agent fédéral, fournie par Rachel Reyes, sa mère.AP
    Photo non datée de Ruben Ray Martinez, abattu par un agent fédéral, fournie par Rachel Reyes, sa mère.AP
    Image: Le Monde
    Photo non datée de Ruben Ray Martinez, abattu par un agent fédéral, fournie par Rachel Reyes, sa mère.AP (AP) Source Full size

Agent Identification and Fatal Encounter Jack Stevens, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officer, was publicly identified as the agent who fired the fatal shots at 23‑year‑old U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez on March 15 2025 during a traffic‑control operation on South Padre Island, Texas [1][4][9]. Martinez, who was celebrating his birthday, entered a restricted zone, struck HSI agent Hector Sosa, and was then shot three times through the driver’s side window [1][3][7]. Internal ICE incident reports obtained via FOIA confirm the agents were directing traffic after a multi‑injury crash when the shooting occurred [4][8][9]. The victim’s mother, Rachel Reyes, and her attorneys have repeatedly demanded a full, transparent investigation [3][5][6].

Grand Jury Decision and Legal Status Texas grand jury reviewed the evidence and unanimously declined to indict Stevens, stating that no criminal conduct was found [1][6]. No criminal charges have been filed against the agent, and the case remains under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Ranger Division [4][9]. Federal authorities, including the FBI, are not participating in the investigation [4][9]. The decision has intensified calls from Democratic lawmakers for an independent review despite the lack of indictment [6][8].

Conflicting Accounts and Evidence Gaps Toxicology reports show Martinez had a blood‑alcohol level of 0.124 % and tested positive for marijuana, THC, and alprazolam, indicating intoxication at the time of the incident [1]. Eyewitness Joshua Orta, who planned to submit a sworn statement contradicting DHS, alleged that Stevens fired multiple shots from a few feet away without warning and delayed CPR for ten minutes; no body‑camera footage was active [2][7]. DHS maintains that the shooting was defensive fire after Martinez intentionally ran over an agent [2][4][8][9]. The disparity between the eyewitness account and the agency’s narrative has been highlighted by lawmakers and experts calling for release of any video evidence [6][8].

Political Reaction and Ongoing Investigation San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro have urged Congress to open a probe, citing a perceived eight‑month cover‑up and the need for accountability [3][6][8]. The Texas Rangers completed a state report in October and plan to present findings to a grand jury, while DHS announced a rollout of body‑cameras for field agents in response to criticism [2][8][9]. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office condemned the year‑long silence and called for transparency [10]. The case is noted as the first known fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by a federal immigration officer during the Trump‑era enforcement surge [4][5][10].

Sources

Timeline

Jan 7, 2025 – Renée Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, is fatally shot by an ICE agent during a traffic stop in Minneapolis, sparking national criticism of ICE’s use‑of‑force policies and foreshadowing later incidents [8].

Jan 24, 2025 – Alex Pretti, another U.S. citizen, is killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, intensifying scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement under the Trump‑era crackdown [8].

Mar 15, 2025 – While celebrating his 23rd birthday on South Padre Island, Texas resident Ruben Ray Martinez drives into a traffic‑control operation; a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) supervisory agent fires three defensive shots after Martinez’s vehicle strikes an HSI special agent on the hood, killing Martinez and injuring the agent’s knee [9][10][11]. DHS later frames the shooting as “defensive fire” after the driver “intentionally ran over” an agent [5][6][8].

Oct 2025 – The Texas Rangers complete a state investigative report on the Martinez shooting and prepare to submit it to a grand jury, though details remain undisclosed to the public [1].

2025 – 2026 – The Martinez killing becomes the earliest of at least six fatal officer incidents since the nationwide immigration enforcement surge launched in President Trump’s second term, highlighting a shift of border‑task‑force agents to immigration duties [1].

Early 2026 – DHS announces a rollout of body‑worn cameras for field agents after criticism over missing footage in the Martinez case and related Minneapolis shootings [3].

Feb 21, 2026 – San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones posts on X urging Congress to open an inquiry into the March 2025 HSI shooting, calling for “answers and accountability” for Martinez’s death [4].

Feb 21, 2026 – Governor Gavin Newsom’s office labels the nearly year‑long delay in disclosing the ICE shooting “deeply concerning,” demanding transparency and accountability [8].

Feb 22, 2026 – Texas Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro and other lawmakers demand a new, independent probe, citing an alleged eight‑month cover‑up of the shooting’s details [3].

Feb 22, 2026 – Martinez’s mother, Rachel Reyes, says her family “has spent the past year searching for answers and justice” and condemns the silence surrounding her son’s killing [7].

Feb 23, 2026 – Eyewitness Joshua Orta, who planned to submit a sworn statement contradicting DHS’s account, dies in a highway crash near San Antonio, raising further calls for a fresh investigation [3].

Feb 24, 2026 – Orta’s alleged statement describes the agent firing “multiple shots from a few feet away without warning,” handcuffing the unconscious Martinez and delaying CPR for at least ten minutes, contradicting DHS’s defensive‑fire narrative [3].

Feb 26, 2026 – A public‑information request identifies ICE HSI Agent Jack Stevens as the shooter who fired the fatal rounds at Martinez on March 15, 2025 [2].

Feb 26, 2026 – A Texas grand jury unanimously declines to indict Agent Stevens, finding “no criminality” after reviewing the evidence [2].

Feb 26, 2026 – Toxicology results reveal Martinez’s blood‑alcohol level at 0.124 % and the presence of marijuana, THC, and alprazolam, indicating he was under the influence at the time of the incident [2].

Feb 26, 2026 – Lawmakers and activists continue to press for the release of body‑camera footage and an independent review, while the Texas Rangers’ investigation remains “active” and the grand jury report is slated for further legal consideration [1][6].

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