Ruben Ray Martinez was 23 years old. He had just celebrated his birthday and traveled to South Padre Island with a friend for a weekend trip. Shortly after midnight on March 15, 2025, he was shot and killed during a traffic encounter involving federal immigration agents assisting local police.

For nearly a year, there was no public disclosure from the Department of Homeland Security that a federal Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent had fired the fatal shots. Newly released records show the shooting occurred during a late-night traffic redirection near an accident scene. According to DHS, the driver struck an agent, and another agent fired in defense. Martinez’s family has said they were later told there may be video evidence that contradicts parts of that account. The Texas Rangers investigation remains active.

When a U.S. citizen is killed in an encounter with federal law enforcement, transparency should not take 11 months.

We call on the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Cameron County District Attorney to:

• Release all body camera, dash camera, and surveillance footage related to the shooting, consistent with the law.
• Publicly clarify why federal involvement was not disclosed at the time of the incident.
• Ensure the grand jury process and investigative findings are handled transparently and without delay.
• Provide clear national reporting standards for all federal officer-involved shootings.

No family should have to fight for basic answers about how their loved one died.

Ruben Martinez’s family — and the American public — deserve clarity, honesty, and justice.

Sign this petition to demand a full and transparent investigation.

Photo: Rachel Reyes AP