Overview
- Body-camera footage shows agents saying it was “time to get aggressive” and “we’re going to make contact” before driver Charles Exum turns left into Martinez’s vehicle, after which five shots are heard.
- Texts show Exum bragging, writing, “I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes,” while an email from Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino praised his “excellent service” and offered to extend his retirement.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago released the materials after a judge lifted a protective order, noting the government had shown “zero concern” for Martinez’s reputation; prosecutors had dropped the case against her on Nov. 20.
- Customs and Border Protection confirmed Exum has been placed on administrative leave, and court filings indicate a separate criminal investigation tied to the incident is being handled by U.S. prosecutors in South Bend, Indiana.
- Martinez has filed an administrative claim to pursue federal civil damages, seeking tens of millions of dollars, as DHS has not retracted its earlier statement labeling her a “domestic terrorist.”