Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?
Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez during a Chicago vehicle confrontation. Agents said she drove at Exum; Martinez and a later state review said she was driving away.
BackgroundWhen can federal immigration agents use deadly force?
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
On October 4, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum fired five rounds at Marimar Martinez’s vehicle during a confrontation involving the agents’ SUV and two civilian vehicles in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. A federal complaint alleged that Martinez and another driver struck and boxed in the agents’ vehicle and that Martinez then drove toward Exum. Martinez said Exum steered into her vehicle and shot her as she drove past or away. She sustained seven gunshot wounds. Federal prosecutors later dismissed the charges against Martinez with prejudice. An Illinois Accountability Commission review concluded that available video, photographs and witness evidence indicated Martinez was stationary or driving away and found reasonable cause to investigate a shooting without apparent justification. No publicly identified recording continuously captures the collision and gunfire, and no court has adjudicated whether Exum’s use of force was lawful. The dispute is whether Martinez posed an imminent threat when Exum fired.
Background: When can federal immigration agents use deadly force?
Read the full background
This case classifies responses to Agent Charles Exum’s decision to fire five rounds at Marimar Martinez’s vehicle on October 4, 2025. Martinez’s decision to follow and alert others to the Border Patrol vehicle, the separate vehicle collisions and the later dismissal of criminal charges do not independently resolve whether she posed an imminent threat when Exum fired.
The federal probable-cause affidavit (opens in a new tab) presents the participating agents’ account. It alleges that Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz used their vehicles to strike and box in the agents’ SUV and that, after the agents exited, Martinez drove toward the driver, who fired approximately five shots. The affidavit says only one of the three agents’ body cameras was activated. It was submitted to establish probable cause and expressly did not include every fact known to investigators.
In her February 3, 2026 Senate-forum statement (opens in a new tab), Martinez gave the opposing account. She said Exum steered into her vehicle, that she moved into the far-left lane to escape and that he shot her as she drove past and away. Her statement is direct first-person evidence but remains a disputed account rather than an adjudicated finding.
The Illinois Accountability Commission’s Brighton Park brief (opens in a new tab) reviewed available body-camera and surveillance material, vehicle photographs, witness interviews and court records. It said no publicly identified video captures the actual crash and shooting, but concluded that the available evidence indicated Exum steered into Martinez’s vehicle and fired while she was stationary or driving away. The commission found reasonable cause for further investigation of a shooting without apparent justification. That is a later state-commission finding, not a criminal conviction or civil judgment.
The Justice Department’s case page (opens in a new tab) records that the court granted the government’s motion to dismiss the charges against Martinez and Ruiz on November 20, 2025. The dismissal ended that prosecution but did not adjudicate the lawfulness of Exum’s gunfire.
WTTW’s report on the February 2026 evidence release (opens in a new tab) describes other agents’ body-camera material, surveillance photographs and messages sent after the shooting. It also reports that Exum’s body camera was not activated and that CBP placed him on administrative leave. The publicly available record therefore provides substantial evidence surrounding the event but does not supply a continuous recording of the decisive seconds.
Timeline
13 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 4, 2025 to October 5, 2026
October 2025
Charles Exum shoots Marimar Martinez during Brighton Park vehicle confrontation
Incident
Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum fired five rounds at Martinez’s vehicle after a collision involving the agents’ SUV and civilian vehicles. Martinez sustained seven gunshot wounds. The parties dispute who caused the collision and whether Martinez drove toward Exum when he fired.
[01]United States Department of Justice
Source excerpt
MARTINEZ drove the Martinez Vehicle at BPA 1.
FBI probable-cause affidavit presenting the participating Border Patrol agents’ account, photographs and one agent’s body-camera material. It alleges Martinez drove toward an agent before five shots were fired. It was filed to establish probable cause, not to adjudicate the shooting, and the resulting charges were later dismissed with prejudice.
Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz · United States Department of JusticeCase 1:25-cr-00636, criminal complaint and affidavit, pages 1-9[02]Statement of Marimar Martinez to the United States Senate Forum on Immigration Agents’ Use of Force
Source excerpt
The Agent swerved into me. The Agent shot me as I drove away from him.
Martinez’s first-person written testimony describing the collision, shooting, hospitalization, prosecution and dismissal. It supplies her account of the disputed event and is not an independent adjudication.
Statement of Marimar Martinez to the United States Senate Forum on Immigration Agents’ Use of ForcePages 1-4, especially pages 1 and 3[03]Illinois Accountability Commission
Source excerpt
Agent Charles Exum shot an unarmed civilian without apparent justification.
Official Illinois Accountability Commission investigation brief based on available body-camera and surveillance material, vehicle photographs, witness interviews, court records and public reporting. It concluded there was reasonable cause for further investigation; it is not a criminal or civil judgment.
Brighton Park Investigation Brief · Illinois Accountability CommissionPages 3-11; determination on page 11Federal complaint alleges Martinez drove toward a Border Patrol agent
Claim
An FBI probable-cause affidavit alleged that Martinez and another driver struck and boxed in the Border Patrol vehicle and that Martinez drove toward the agent who fired. Martinez and Ruiz were charged with assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officers.
[01]United States Department of Justice
Source excerpt
MARTINEZ drove the Martinez Vehicle at BPA 1.
FBI probable-cause affidavit presenting the participating Border Patrol agents’ account, photographs and one agent’s body-camera material. It alleges Martinez drove toward an agent before five shots were fired. It was filed to establish probable cause, not to adjudicate the shooting, and the resulting charges were later dismissed with prejudice.
Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz · United States Department of JusticeCase 1:25-cr-00636, criminal complaint and affidavit, pages 1-9[04]United States Department of Justice
Source excerpt
The court granted the government’s motion to dismiss the charges against both defendants.
Justice Department announcement summarizing the original charges and the government’s account. The page was later updated to record the November 20, 2025 dismissal of the charges against Martinez and Ruiz.
Federal complaint charges two individuals with using their vehicles to assault federal agents in Chicago · United States Department of JusticeOpening paragraphs and dismissal update
November 2025
Federal charges against Martinez and Ruiz dismissed with prejudice
The federal court granted the government’s motion to dismiss the charges against both defendants with prejudice. The dismissal ended the prosecution but did not adjudicate whether Exum’s use of force was lawful.
[04]United States Department of Justice
Source excerpt
The court granted the government’s motion to dismiss the charges against both defendants.
Justice Department announcement summarizing the original charges and the government’s account. The page was later updated to record the November 20, 2025 dismissal of the charges against Martinez and Ruiz.
Federal complaint charges two individuals with using their vehicles to assault federal agents in Chicago · United States Department of JusticeOpening paragraphs and dismissal update
February 2026
Martinez gives her account at Senate forum
Reaction
Martinez submitted a written statement saying Exum steered into her vehicle and fired as she drove past and away. She described her injuries, detention and the subsequent dismissal of the charges.
[02]Statement of Marimar Martinez to the United States Senate Forum on Immigration Agents’ Use of Force
Source excerpt
The Agent swerved into me. The Agent shot me as I drove away from him.
Martinez’s first-person written testimony describing the collision, shooting, hospitalization, prosecution and dismissal. It supplies her account of the disputed event and is not an independent adjudication.
Statement of Marimar Martinez to the United States Senate Forum on Immigration Agents’ Use of ForcePages 1-4, especially pages 1 and 3Released evidence adds body-camera material, photographs and agent messages
Source release
Martinez and her attorney released evidence from the dismissed criminal case. Reporting described body-camera audio and video from other agents, surveillance photographs and messages sent after the shooting; Exum’s own body camera was not activated.
[05]New evidence contradicts Border Patrol agent’s claims in shooting of Chicago woman, attorneys say
Source excerpt
Much of it contradicts the narrative spread by DHS.
WTTW report on released agent messages, surveillance photographs and body-camera material. It records the competing interpretation advanced by Martinez’s attorney, notes that Exum’s camera was not activated and quotes CBP’s statement that Exum was placed on administrative leave.
New evidence contradicts Border Patrol agent’s claims in shooting of Chicago woman, attorneys sayEvidence release, body-camera description and paragraphs on administrative leave
April 2026
Illinois Accountability Commission issues Brighton Park findings
Source release
The commission concluded there was reasonable cause to investigate Exum for shooting an unarmed civilian without apparent justification. It said the available evidence indicated Martinez was stationary or driving away, while noting that no public video continuously captured the crash and shooting.
[03]Illinois Accountability Commission
Source excerpt
Agent Charles Exum shot an unarmed civilian without apparent justification.
Official Illinois Accountability Commission investigation brief based on available body-camera and surveillance material, vehicle photographs, witness interviews, court records and public reporting. It concluded there was reasonable cause for further investigation; it is not a criminal or civil judgment.
Brighton Park Investigation Brief · Illinois Accountability CommissionPages 3-11; determination on page 11
July 2026
Jayapal and Raskin cite Martinez in a body-camera demand
Reaction
Pramila Jayapal and Jamie Raskin sent DHS and ICE a July 30 letter demanding functional body cameras. They named Marimar Martinez among people whose shootings, they argued, DHS had described with false or unsubstantiated allegations.
[06]Raskin and Jayapal demand functional body cameras for ICE agents
The lawmakers' body-camera demand and criticism of DHS shooting accounts.
Raskin and Jayapal demand functional body cameras for ICE agentsJuly 30 letter, page 2 paragraph naming Marimar Martinez; requests on pages 2-3 and signatures on page 3.
August 2026
Chicago Police open criminal investigation into the Exum shooting
The Chicago Police Department's Investigative Response Team, which investigates all officer-involved shootings within city limits including those involving outside law enforcement, opened a criminal investigation into Agent Exum's shooting of Martinez. A source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed the assignment to the Chicago Sun-Times after Martinez's attorney said the FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division had not investigated the shooting.
[07]Chicago Sun-Times
Source excerpt
The investigation into Martinez's Oct. 4 shooting by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum has been assigned to the police department's Investigative Response Team, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.
Reports that Chicago Police's Investigative Response Team opened a criminal investigation into the Exum shooting after Martinez's attorney said the FBI and DOJ Civil Rights Division had not acted; includes quoted statements from attorney Christopher Parente and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
Chicago police investigating Border Patrol agent's shooting of Marimar Martinez after feds took no action · Chicago Sun-TimesFull article[08]CBS News
Source excerpt
Wednesday the Chicago Police Department confirmed their Investigative Response Team is investigating the Brighton Park shooting.
CBS News Chicago corroborates CPD IRT's investigation into the Exum shooting and notes State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke's office said it can only bring charges after law enforcement completes an investigation.
Chicago police confirm Investigative Response Team is investigating Brighton Park shooting · CBS NewsFull article
September 2026
Amnesty publishes its shooting assessment
Source release
Amnesty condemns the Martinez shooting.
[09]Amnesty International
Amnesty evaluates the shootings and requests independent investigations.
Amnesty International assessments of four immigration-agent shootings · Amnesty InternationalPrinted pages 85, 87, 89 and 92; concluding paragraphs.
October 2026
ICE tells ABC7 that its vehicle-stop memo makes no changes
Reaction
ABC7 reported vehicle-stop guidance while discussing this shooting. In an emailed response, an ICE spokesperson said the memo did not change how ICE conducts vehicle stops and that all officers had always received training. The article was published October 2.
[10]ABC7 reports ICE's response to vehicle-stop guidance
ABC7 discusses the Martinez and Villegas Gonzalez shootings in its report on vehicle-stop guidance. An ICE spokesperson tells the outlet by email that the memo changes no vehicle-stop practices. The article displays October 2 at 11:18 p.m. without a timezone.
ABC7 reports ICE's response to vehicle-stop guidanceOctober 2 article, opening vehicle-stop guidance paragraphs and final emailed statement from an ICE spokesperson.Martinez's attorney announces planned lawsuit and reconstruction
Claim
FOX 32 reported that Marimar Martinez planned to sue the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Her attorney Christopher Parente said an expert reconstruction contradicted Charles Exum's account of where he stood when he fired. The report announced a press conference for that afternoon but did not include a filed complaint or docket number.
[11]Marimar Martinez to sue federal government over Border Patrol shooting in Chicago
Source excerpt
He was behind it and shot her through the back
FOX 32 reports Christopher Parente's account of an expert reconstruction and plans to file a Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit on October 5. The reconstruction described here is the attorney's account, not a judicial finding. The report announces a planned press conference; it does not provide a filed complaint or docket number.
Marimar Martinez to sue federal government over Border Patrol shooting in ChicagoSection 'What they're saying', Christopher Parente's description of bullet-hole analysis and his quotation about Exum's location.Martinez files federal lawsuit against the United States
Marimar Martinez filed a civil complaint against the United States in the Northern District of Illinois over her October 2025 shooting and subsequent detention. The complaint, docketed as case 1:26-cv-12187, seeks compensatory damages for physical and emotional injuries. Martinez alleges negligence, battery, assault, false arrest and other misconduct.
[12]Marimar Martinez v. United States of America, filed complaint
Martinez's filed complaint against the United States seeks compensation for injuries from her shooting and subsequent detention. The filing stamp identifies October 5, 2026. Its allegations are Martinez's claims.
Marimar Martinez v. United States of America, filed complaintCase 1:26-cv-12187, Document 1, filed October 5, 2026; page 1 caption and filing stamp; page 33 relief requested[13]NBC News
Source excerpt
I want to spread awareness, because what's happening is not normal. We shouldn't stay here and normalize what's happening.
NBC reports Martinez's federal lawsuit and quotes her remarks at the October 5 press conference. She describes her recovery and says the violence should not become normal.
Chicago woman shot 5 times by CBP officer files federal lawsuit · NBC NewsPublished October 5, 2026, 5:09 PM EDT; lawsuit lead and paragraph beginning "I'm just glad to see another year"[14]Marimar Martinez Sues Feds A Year After Border Patrol Agent Shot Her 5 Times
Block Club's on-scene reporting describes the filed lawsuit and Martinez's press-conference remarks. It quotes her opposition to normalizing the violence and her wish to prevent further victims.
Marimar Martinez Sues Feds A Year After Border Patrol Agent Shot Her 5 TimesOctober 5, 2026; lead, press-conference photographs and final Martinez quotationCBP responds to Martinez's lawsuit with leave and use-of-force review information
Reaction
CBP told the Associated Press, in response to Martinez's lawsuit, that Exum had been placed on administrative leave. It said use-of-force incidents undergo investigation, review and presentation to an independent board. The statement did not specify when Exum was placed on leave.
[15]Associated Press
AP reports remarks made at Martinez's October 5 press conference and a CBP statement supplied in response to her lawsuit. CBP said Exum had been placed on administrative leave and described its use-of-force review process. The report does not date the original leave decision. Parente's allegations about the shooting and Exum's statements remain attributed to Martinez's lawyer.
AP reports CBP's response to Martinez's lawsuit and Parente's shooting allegations · Associated PressSection 'Agent fired into rear of car, attorneys say': Parente's three alleged false statements and CBP's statement in response to the suit; page updated October 5 at 8:46 PM EDT.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
United States Department of Justice
Martinez and another driver struck and boxed in the Border Patrol vehicle, after which Martinez drove her vehicle toward the agent who fired five shots.
Sources (2)
- Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz · United States Department of JusticeCase 1:25-cr-00636, criminal complaint and affidavit, pages 1-9
- Federal complaint charges two individuals with using their vehicles to assault federal agents in Chicago · United States Department of JusticeOpening paragraphs and dismissal update
Disputed claim
Agent Charles Exum steered the Border Patrol vehicle into Martinez’s vehicle and then shot her as she drove past and away from him.
Sources (1)
- Statement of Marimar Martinez to the United States Senate Forum on Immigration Agents’ Use of ForcePages 1-4, especially pages 1 and 3
Disputed claim
Illinois Accountability Commission
Available evidence indicates that Exum fired while Martinez was stationary or driving away, creating reasonable cause to investigate the shooting as apparently unjustified.
Sources (1)
- Brighton Park Investigation Brief · Illinois Accountability CommissionPages 3-11; determination on page 11
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
4 matching responses. Newest first.
Marimar MartinezShooting survivor and plaintiff speaking at an October 5 press conferenceDirectly involved Before this statement
Martinez spoke at the October 5 press conference about her lawsuit and recovery. NBC quotes her saying she was glad to see another year with her family.
"I want to spread awareness, because what's happening is not normal. We shouldn't stay here and normalize what's happening."
CondemnedCase context: Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?
Full statement and sources
Marimar Martinez criticized the violence surrounding her shooting and said it should not become normal, speaking as her attorneys announced her filed civil lawsuit.
After the statement
Block Club also reports Martinez saying she has a voice and does not want others to suffer the same violence. Her attorneys presented their reconstruction of the shooting and sought accountability.
Chicago woman shot 5 times by CBP officer files federal lawsuit · NBC NewsPublished October 5, 2026, 5:09 PM EDT; lawsuit lead and paragraph beginning "I'm just glad to see another year"Marimar Martinez Sues Feds A Year After Border Patrol Agent Shot Her 5 TimesOctober 5, 2026; lead, press-conference photographs and final Martinez quotationWhy this label?
The conduct under scrutiny is Exum's shooting of Martinez. In remarks about her shooting and other victims, Martinez rejects treating that violence as normal and says she wants it to stop.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Marimar MartinezPerson shot by Charles ExumDirectly involved Before this statement
In prepared testimony, Martinez recounted following the Border Patrol vehicle and the collision that preceded the shooting.
"The Agent swerved into me. The Agent shot me as I drove away from him."
CondemnedCase context: Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?
Full statement and sources
Martinez said Exum caused the collision and shot her while she was driving away.
After the statement
She described surviving the gunshot wounds and accused federal officials of advancing a false account of the incident.
Statement of Marimar Martinez to the United States Senate Forum on Immigration Agents’ Use of ForcePages 1-4, especially pages 1 and 3Why this label?
Her account directly rejects self-defense and portrays the shooting as unjustified.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Charles ExumU.S. Border Patrol agent testifying in federal courtDirectly involved Before this statement
During cross-examination, Martinez’s attorney questioned Exum about messages he sent after the shooting.
"I did what I had to do to save my life."
Defended or excusedCase context: Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?
Full statement and sources
Exum said he fired because he believed the shooting was necessary to save his life.
After the statement
Exum’s testimony defended his use of force while the defense disputed his account of the collision.
Why this label?
This directly justifies the shooting as self-defense.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityFederal department responsible for Border Patrol and immigration enforcementDirectly involvedBefore this statement
DHS issued its account shortly after the Brighton Park shooting.
"Border Patrol law enforcement officers were ambushed by domestic terrorists that rammed federal agents with their vehicles."
Defended or excusedCase context: Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?
Full statement and sources
DHS said Martinez and others ambushed and rammed agents, framing the gunfire as a response to an attack.
After the statement
Later video, ballistics evidence and witness accounts were cited by Martinez’s lawyers and state investigators to dispute that account.
Brighton Park Investigation Brief · Illinois Accountability CommissionPages 3-11; determination on page 11Why this label?
The department’s account supplies the asserted justification for the agents’ use of force.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(25)
Original text
Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz
Relevant passage: Case 1:25-cr-00636, criminal complaint and affidavit, pages 1-9
Excerpt
"MARTINEZ drove the Martinez Vehicle at BPA 1."
About this source
FBI probable-cause affidavit presenting the participating Border Patrol agents’ account, photographs and one agent’s body-camera material. It alleges Martinez drove toward an agent before five shots were fired. It was filed to establish probable cause, not to adjudicate the shooting, and the resulting charges were later dismissed with prejudice.
- Author
- Caitlin Malone
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Amnesty International assessments of four immigration-agent shootings
Relevant passage: Printed pages 85, 87, 89 and 92; concluding paragraphs.
About this source
Amnesty evaluates the shootings and requests independent investigations.
- Author
- Amnesty International
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Murray's March 10 remarks on immigration-agent shootings
Relevant passage: MARIMAR MARTINEZ, JULIO CESAR SOSA-CELIS and CARLOS JIMENEZ sections
About this source
Official transcript with Murray's case-specific criticisms.
- Author
- Patty Murray
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Raskin and Jayapal demand functional body cameras for ICE agents
Relevant passage: July 30 letter, page 2 paragraph naming Marimar Martinez; requests on pages 2-3 and signatures on page 3.
About this source
The lawmakers' body-camera demand and criticism of DHS shooting accounts.
- Author
- Jamie Raskin and Pramila Jayapal
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
ABC7 reports ICE's response to vehicle-stop guidance
Relevant passage: October 2 article, opening vehicle-stop guidance paragraphs and final emailed statement from an ICE spokesperson.
About this source
ABC7 discusses the Martinez and Villegas Gonzalez shootings in its report on vehicle-stop guidance. An ICE spokesperson tells the outlet by email that the memo changes no vehicle-stop practices. The article displays October 2 at 11:18 p.m. without a timezone.
- Author
- Mark Rivera, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel, Tom Jones and Luke Barr
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Governor Pritzker calls for accountability for Marimar Martinez on the shooting anniversary
Excerpt
"She deserves true justice and accountability from the federal government."
About this source
Pritzker's official account posted a written statement about Martinez on the anniversary of her shooting. He criticized the shooting and DHS's description of her, and called for federal accountability. The written caption accompanies a video.
- Author
- Governor JB Pritzker
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
WTTW reports Parente's criticism and reconstruction at Martinez's October 5 press conference
Relevant passage: Paragraph beginning 'In what world could you justify that?' and preceding paragraphs about the commissioned reconstruction; October 5, 2026, 6:39 PM.
About this source
WTTW reports the October 5 press conference announcing Martinez's federal lawsuit. Parente criticizes Exum's shooting and alleges that agents gave false accounts of the encounter. The article describes a reconstruction commissioned by Martinez's attorneys and says her local police complaint was assigned to a detective.
- Author
- Matt Masterson
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
AP reports CBP's response to Martinez's lawsuit and Parente's shooting allegations
Relevant passage: Section 'Agent fired into rear of car, attorneys say': Parente's three alleged false statements and CBP's statement in response to the suit; page updated October 5 at 8:46 PM EDT.
About this source
AP reports remarks made at Martinez's October 5 press conference and a CBP statement supplied in response to her lawsuit. CBP said Exum had been placed on administrative leave and described its use-of-force review process. The report does not date the original leave decision. Parente's allegations about the shooting and Exum's statements remain attributed to Martinez's lawyer.
- Author
- Cybele Mayes-Osterman
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Marimar Martinez Sues Feds A Year After Border Patrol Agent Shot Her 5 Times
Relevant passage: October 5, 2026; lead, press-conference photographs and final Martinez quotation
About this source
Block Club's on-scene reporting describes the filed lawsuit and Martinez's press-conference remarks. It quotes her opposition to normalizing the violence and her wish to prevent further victims.
- Author
- Melody Mercado
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Chicago woman shot 5 times by CBP officer files federal lawsuit
Relevant passage: Published October 5, 2026, 5:09 PM EDT; lawsuit lead and paragraph beginning "I'm just glad to see another year"
Excerpt
"I want to spread awareness, because what's happening is not normal. We shouldn't stay here and normalize what's happening."
About this source
NBC reports Martinez's federal lawsuit and quotes her remarks at the October 5 press conference. She describes her recovery and says the violence should not become normal.
- Author
- Daniella Silva
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Marimar Martinez v. United States of America, filed complaint
Relevant passage: Case 1:26-cv-12187, Document 1, filed October 5, 2026; page 1 caption and filing stamp; page 33 relief requested
About this source
Martinez's filed complaint against the United States seeks compensation for injuries from her shooting and subsequent detention. The filing stamp identifies October 5, 2026. Its allegations are Martinez's claims.
- Author
- Marimar Martinez, through Gallagher & Kosner and Cheronis & Parente
- Published
- Accessed
Interview
Marimar Martinez to sue federal government over Border Patrol shooting in Chicago
Relevant passage: Section 'What they're saying', Christopher Parente's description of bullet-hole analysis and his quotation about Exum's location.
Excerpt
"He was behind it and shot her through the back"
About this source
FOX 32 reports Christopher Parente's account of an expert reconstruction and plans to file a Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit on October 5. The reconstruction described here is the attorney's account, not a judicial finding. The report announces a planned press conference; it does not provide a filed complaint or docket number.
- Author
- FOX 32 Chicago Digital Staff
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Duckworth Meets with Woman Shot Five Times by Trump's DHS, Marimar Martinez, Underscoring Need for Oversight on DHS
Relevant passage: Duckworth quotation in the second paragraph of the release text
Excerpt
"Untrained and highly aggressive agents shot Marimar and continue slandering her name while hiding evidence that could prove they are lying."
About this source
Sen. Tammy Duckworth's press release dated February 3, 2026, issued the day she met Marimar Martinez and Martinez testified at a congressional public forum on DHS use of force.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Hirono presses Noem on DHS statements and use of force
Relevant passage: Paragraphs identifying Marimar Martinez and Hirono's call for DHS guardrails
Excerpt
"The lies that you and this regime spread are creating a culture that fosters abuse of power."
About this source
Official release summarizing Hirono's March 3 questioning of Kristi Noem. It specifically identifies Martinez as one of the people Hirono said DHS falsely labeled before an investigation.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Blumenthal questions Noem about constitutional violations and abuse by DHS agents
Relevant passage: Full transcript, exchange concerning Marimar Martinez
Excerpt
"I don't know why you can't join me in saying it was wrong to shoot Marimar."
About this source
Official transcript of a March 3 Senate Judiciary Committee exchange between Richard Blumenthal and Kristi Noem. The page includes their direct statements about Marimar Martinez's shooting and the limits Noem placed on her answer.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Chicago police confirm Investigative Response Team is investigating Brighton Park shooting
Relevant passage: Full article
Excerpt
"Wednesday the Chicago Police Department confirmed their Investigative Response Team is investigating the Brighton Park shooting."
About this source
CBS News Chicago corroborates CPD IRT's investigation into the Exum shooting and notes State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke's office said it can only bring charges after law enforcement completes an investigation.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Chicago police investigating Border Patrol agent's shooting of Marimar Martinez after feds took no action
Relevant passage: Full article
Excerpt
"The investigation into Martinez's Oct. 4 shooting by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum has been assigned to the police department's Investigative Response Team, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation."
About this source
Reports that Chicago Police's Investigative Response Team opened a criminal investigation into the Exum shooting after Martinez's attorney said the FBI and DOJ Civil Rights Division had not acted; includes quoted statements from attorney Christopher Parente and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
- Author
- Jon Seidel, Sophie Sherry, Tom Schuba
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Border Patrol agent appeared to brag about his accuracy after shooting Chicago woman five times, messages in court reveal
Relevant passage: Court testimony section
Excerpt
"I did what I had to do to save my life."
About this source
CNN report on Exum’s federal-court testimony and the messages introduced during the hearing. The quoted statement directly states his claimed justification for firing.
- Author
- Omar Jimenez and Elizabeth Wolfe
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Protester shot in Chicago by Border Patrol agents who claim they were ambushed by convoy
Relevant passage: Paragraphs 2-6
Excerpt
"Our agents had to protect themselves and shots were fired."
About this source
Contemporaneous ABC News report quoting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s explanation of why agents fired during the October 4 encounter.
- Author
- Luke Barr, Victoria Arancio, Gaby Vinick, Ivan Pereira and Bill Hutchinson
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Reps. García, Ramírez, Quigley, Jackson, Local Elected Officials and Immigration Advocates Call for Full Accountability for DHS Brutality and Meaningful Immigration Reform
Relevant passage: Quotation attributed to Lawrence Benito
Excerpt
"“Whether it be ... the shooting of Marimar Martinez ... or the murder of Silverio Villegas González, it’s been proven that ICE does NOT keep us safe.”"
About this source
The congressional press release compiles remarks from elected officials and immigration advocates calling for accountability and reform.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Statement on Illinois State Police Investigation into 2025 ICE Shooting
Relevant passage: Statement paragraphs addressing Silverio Villegas González and Marimar Martinez
Excerpt
"“For eight long months, evidence suggesting this shooting was unjustified ... has circulated in the public sphere.”"
About this source
The caucus responds to an Illinois State Police investigation and links the Villegas González and Martinez shootings to a broader pattern it attributes to federal agents.
- Author
- Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
New evidence contradicts Border Patrol agent’s claims in shooting of Chicago woman, attorneys say
Relevant passage: Evidence release, body-camera description and paragraphs on administrative leave
Excerpt
"Much of it contradicts the narrative spread by DHS."
About this source
WTTW report on released agent messages, surveillance photographs and body-camera material. It records the competing interpretation advanced by Martinez’s attorney, notes that Exum’s camera was not activated and quotes CBP’s statement that Exum was placed on administrative leave.
- Author
- Matt Masterson
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Federal complaint charges two individuals with using their vehicles to assault federal agents in Chicago
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs and dismissal update
Excerpt
"The court granted the government’s motion to dismiss the charges against both defendants."
About this source
Justice Department announcement summarizing the original charges and the government’s account. The page was later updated to record the November 20, 2025 dismissal of the charges against Martinez and Ruiz.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Brighton Park Investigation Brief
Relevant passage: Pages 3-11; determination on page 11
Excerpt
"Agent Charles Exum shot an unarmed civilian without apparent justification."
About this source
Official Illinois Accountability Commission investigation brief based on available body-camera and surveillance material, vehicle photographs, witness interviews, court records and public reporting. It concluded there was reasonable cause for further investigation; it is not a criminal or civil judgment.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Statement of Marimar Martinez to the United States Senate Forum on Immigration Agents’ Use of Force
Relevant passage: Pages 1-4, especially pages 1 and 3
Excerpt
"The Agent swerved into me. The Agent shot me as I drove away from him."
About this source
Martinez’s first-person written testimony describing the collision, shooting, hospitalization, prosecution and dismissal. It supplies her account of the disputed event and is not an independent adjudication.
- Author
- Marimar Martinez
- Published
- Accessed
Share or embed this case
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the case page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/border-patrol-charles-exum-shooting-marimar-martinez-justified
The Dispute Index. "Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?". First published: 2026-09-22. Last updated: 2026-10-06. https://disputeindex.com/cases/border-patrol-charles-exum-shooting-marimar-martinez-justified