San Antonio, Texas — U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro is calling for a federal investigation into the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old San Antonio resident who was killed in March 2025 during an encounter involving federal immigration agents on South Padre Island.
During a virtual news conference on Friday, Castro urged both the U.S. Department of Justice and Congress to examine the circumstances surrounding Martinez’s death, raising concerns about transparency and the initial handling of information related to the case.
“It appears as though the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Rangers, and the federal government — DHS — knew that he was killed by ICE agents. So this looks like it was an organized cover up,” Castro said.
Martinez was shot on March 15, 2025, during a traffic-related incident near Padre Boulevard and Marlin Street on South Padre Island.
According to statements later released by the Department of Homeland Security, agents with Homeland Security Investigations were assisting the South Padre Island Police Department with traffic control at the scene of a major accident when the confrontation occurred.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said that the driver of a blue Ford vehicle “intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigation special agent,” causing the agent to land on the hood of the vehicle.
The statement added that another agent fired what were described as defensive shots to protect himself, fellow agents, and members of the public.
Martinez was transported to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, where he was pronounced dead.
The injured federal agent was treated for a knee injury and later released.
Early public reports of the incident did not identify the involvement of Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Homeland Security Investigations agents, which has prompted scrutiny from lawmakers and civil rights advocates.
Castro said he plans to seek additional documentation and clarity regarding the chain of communication among federal and state agencies following the shooting.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger Division is leading the investigation.
A spokesperson for the agency declined further comment, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Martinez’s death has drawn renewed attention in light of other fatal encounters involving federal immigration agents.
In January 2026, Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
Later that month, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, was also shot and killed by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis.
Castro emphasized that full transparency is necessary to maintain public trust.
He said he will continue pressing for answers about the events that led to Martinez’s death and the initial absence of federal disclosure.
As the Texas Rangers’ investigation remains active, Martinez’s family and community members are awaiting further details about the encounter that resulted in the loss of his life.
