New evidence reveals a Border Patrol agent shot a U.S. citizen five times in Chicago after his own body camera captured him turning his steering wheel toward her vehicle, directly contradicting federal officials’ claims that she rammed them first.
Story Snapshot
- Marimar Martinez, 30, a Chicago teacher’s assistant and U.S. citizen, survived being shot five times by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum in October 2025
- Body camera footage released February 2026 shows agents saying “it’s time to get aggressive” as one steers toward Martinez’s car, undermining DHS claims she rammed them
- Agent Exum texted colleagues bragging about the shooting and referenced support from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and “El Jefe” (likely President Trump)
- DHS labeled Martinez a “domestic terrorist” and the FBI arrested her on charges of assaulting federal officers, despite surveillance footage contradicting the official narrative
Border Patrol Agent Opens Fire on American Citizen in Chicago
Marimar Martinez was driving her gray Nissan Rogue through Chicago streets in October 2025 when Border Patrol agent Charles Exum fired five rounds at her, creating seven bullet holes in her body. The 30-year-old teacher’s assistant suffered wounds to her chest and thigh but managed to drive herself to an auto shop before being hospitalized. Hours after her life-saving surgery, FBI agents arrested Martinez and charged her with assaulting federal officers. The Department of Homeland Security went further, labeling the American citizen a “domestic terrorist” despite her having no criminal record or immigration violations.
Video Evidence Contradicts Federal Officials’ Account
Surveillance footage and body camera video released in early 2026 paint a starkly different picture from the one federal officials presented. The evidence shows Martinez driving alongside, not blocking, the Border Patrol SUV. Body camera audio captured moments before the collision reveals agents discussing getting “aggressive,” with one agent turning his steering wheel toward Martinez’s vehicle. This contradicts DHS claims that Martinez rammed the federal vehicle first, a narrative that justified the shooting and her subsequent arrest. Agent Exum’s conduct following the incident raises further questions about appropriate use of force.
Agent Celebrated Shooting in Text Messages to Colleagues
Text messages obtained after the incident show Agent Exum bragging to fellow Border Patrol agents about his marksmanship: “I fired five rounds and she had seven holes. Put that in your book, boys.” More troubling, his texts referenced having backing from Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and “El Jefe himself,” widely understood to mean President Trump. Body camera footage also captured Exum saying “Do something, bitch” seconds before opening fire. These texts reveal Exum had previously been involved in fatal shootings of two Americans in Minnesota months before the Chicago incident, yet faced no apparent disciplinary action or restrictions on duty.
Concerns Mount Over Border Patrol Operating Beyond Their Jurisdiction
The incident highlights growing concerns about Border Patrol agents operating far from any border in major American cities. Under expanded enforcement roles, agents have been deployed inland for immigration enforcement and protest monitoring, raising constitutional questions about federal overreach. Martinez’s case demonstrates the dangers when federal agents operate with apparent impunity in jurisdictions where they have limited accountability. Critics point to Border Patrol’s failure to adopt de-escalation tactics that local police departments implemented after high-profile incidents like the Rodney King beating. The lack of training in community policing and accountability measures becomes particularly alarming when agents mistake American citizens for enforcement targets. DHS and DOJ have remained silent despite requests for comment on the February 2026 evidence release, leaving Martinez to face federal charges while her shooter remains on duty with his superiors’ apparent blessing.
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ICE should learn hard lessons from LAPD
