Charles Exum says he fired to save his life
U.S. Border Patrol agent testifying in federal court
“I did what I had to do to save my life.”
Source and context
Reporting
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.
Before the quotation
During cross-examination, Martinez’s attorney questioned Exum about messages he sent after the shooting.
After the quotation
Exum’s testimony defended his use of force while the defense disputed his account of the collision.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
This directly justifies the shooting as self-defense.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Marimar Martinez
Was Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum justified in shooting Marimar Martinez?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full case“Whether it be the apartment raids in South Shore, the shooting of Marimar Martinez in Brighton Park, or the murder of Silverio Villegas González, it’s been proven that ICE does NOT keep us safe - they are designed to intimidate communities of color and deport as many people as possible.”Read statement
Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus
“The findings of the Illinois Accountability Commission are clear: a documented pattern of ICE, Border Patrol and federal agents making discriminatory arrests based on race and ethnicity, acting recklessly, endangering the lives of community members and retaliating against rapid responders and community members – not only in the case of Villegas González, but also in the shooting of Marimar Martinez.”Read statement
Illinois Accountability Commission
“Agent Charles Exum shot an unarmed civilian without apparent justification.”Read statement