Newly released video evidence challenges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s official account of a Border Patrol shooting in Chicago, revealing significant discrepancies that undermine the government’s justification for the incident. The footage, along with text messages and other materials, was made public on February 12, 2026, following a federal judge’s order, and shows that agents were not rammed or boxed in as initially claimed.
The incident dates back to October 4, 2025, when Marimar Martinez, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen and teacher’s assistant, was shot five times by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum during an immigration enforcement operation in the Brighton Park neighborhood. DHS had asserted that agents were forced to fire defensive shots after their SUV was rammed by vehicles and surrounded by ten cars, painting Martinez as a threat. However, the released body camera video and surveillance footage tell a different story, indicating that no ramming occurred and that only two vehicles were following the agents, not ten.
Analysis of the video reveals that Exum, the driver, appeared to steer the agents’ SUV toward Martinez’s vehicle, causing a collision, before rapidly firing shots at her. At no point in the footage is Martinez seen driving aggressively or attempting to harm the agents. The agents’ claims of being boxed in are contradicted by the video, which shows an unobstructed path ahead of their vehicle at the time of the shooting. This visual evidence raises serious questions about the accuracy and honesty of the initial government report.
The release of the evidence was spurred by a motion from Martinez’s legal team, who argued that the footage and related documents exposed falsehoods in the DHS account. Accompanying the video are text messages from Exum and praise from then-top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino, which Martinez’s lawyers say demonstrate a coordinated effort to justify the shooting. In one exchange, agents discussed keeping their cameras off and withholding statements, suggesting an awareness that their actions might not withstand scrutiny.
Following the shooting, Martinez was briefly charged with offenses related to the incident, but the case was dismissed with prejudice after the Department of Justice reversed its position, citing the new evidence. Martinez, who survived the shooting but sustained serious injuries, is now planning to file a lawsuit against DHS and Exum for making false claims and labeling her a domestic terrorist. Her legal counsel has emphasized that the video disproves the narrative that she posed a danger to the agents.
The broader context of the shooting involves Operation Midway Blitz, a Trump-era initiative that surged federal resources for immigration enforcement in Chicago. This operation has been criticized for aggressive tactics, and the Martinez case highlights concerns about transparency and accountability within federal agencies. The incident has drawn attention from civil rights advocates and lawmakers, who are calling for reforms to prevent similar misrepresentations in the future.
In response to the video release, CBP stated that Exum was placed on administrative leave and that all use-of-force incidents are thoroughly investigated. However, the agency did not specify the length of the leave or provide details on the investigation’s outcome. The evidence has fueled public skepticism about the integrity of internal reviews and the willingness of federal authorities to hold their own agents accountable.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the case underscores the importance of independent oversight and the release of body camera footage in incidents involving law enforcement. It serves as a reminder of the power of visual evidence to challenge official narratives and seek justice for individuals affected by government actions.
