A Chicago woman, Marimar Martinez, is embroiled in a legal battle after being shot by a Border Patrol agent during an October 4 incident where she is accused of ramming a federal vehicle, but her attorney claims video evidence exonerates her and implicates the agents.
On the morning of October 4, 2025, in the Brighton Park neighborhood of Chicago, Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz were involved in a confrontation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. The Department of Homeland Security alleges that Martinez and Ruiz used their cars to box in and strike a vehicle containing federal agents, who were patrolling amid protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. This occurred near the intersection of West 39th Place and South Kedzie Avenue, with initial reports suggesting the agents were surrounded by multiple vehicles.
Martinez, a 30-year-old American citizen, has been charged with assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal officers. She pleaded not guilty in federal court, and if convicted, could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Ruiz, 21, faces identical charges, with both individuals indicted and released pending trial. The charges stem from the alleged use of their vehicles to obstruct and assault the agents during the encounter.
Contrary to the government’s account, Martinez’s attorney, Christopher Parente, disputes the allegations, pointing to body camera footage that he says shows a Border Patrol agent swerving into Martinez’s SUV. Parente also highlighted that the agent was holding an assault rifle and uttered, “Do something b**ch,” moments before opening fire, suggesting provocation rather than defense. Witnesses have supported this version, disputing DHS claims that agents were boxed in or that Martinez brandished a weapon.
Following the collision, a Border Patrol agent stepped out and fired five shots at Martinez, striking her multiple times. She suffered five gunshot wounds but was treated at a hospital and released into FBI custody. The shooting has sparked debate over the use of force, with DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defending the actions as “defensive,” while Martinez’s legal team argues it was excessive and unprovoked.
A court hearing on October 16, 2025, revealed that the federal vehicle involved had been moved to Maine, raising concerns about evidence preservation. Parente accused the Department of Justice of mishandling the evidence, leading Judge Georgia Alexakis to order the vehicle’s return to Chicago via flatbed truck for proper examination. The hearing, intended to set a trial date, was postponed to a Monday session, emphasizing the importance of the vehicle as critical evidence.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of immigration protests, with initial DHS statements claiming agents were surrounded by “10 cars” and that a driver had a semi-automatic weapon. However, Martinez’s attorney and witnesses refute this, noting that police audio confirmed her legally carried gun remained in her purse, and she holds a valid concealed carry license. Photos from the scene show damage to Martinez’s SUV on the side and Ruiz’s vehicle in front, with minor mirror damage to the federal car.
As the case progresses, another hearing is set for Monday to determine a trial date. The proceedings could influence public trust in federal law enforcement and highlight tensions in immigration enforcement, with implications for how such interactions are documented and adjudicated. The outcome may also affect policies on agent conduct and evidence handling in high-stakes situations.
This summary synthesizes information from CNN and Fox 32 Chicago reports, providing a balanced account of the events, legal disputes, and ongoing developments.