Chicago Woman Shot by Immigration Officer Sues US Government

Marimar Martinez, an American-born citizen who was shot five times by a federal immigration officer in Chicago, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, seeking accountability for the agent involved in the Oct. 4, 2025, incident.

Attorneys for Martinez presented a forensic reconstruction of the shooting on Monday, which they claim contradicts initial statements from the Department of Homeland Security. The department had stated that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Charles Exum fired his weapon because he perceived a threat from Martinez's vehicle.

"I want to spread awareness because what's happening is not normal," Martinez said at a press conference with her lawyers. "We shouldn't sit here and normalize what's happening, and I'm not going to sit here."

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Chicago, alleges that Exum fired his handgun five times into Martinez's vehicle, striking her seven times in her legs, thigh, forearm, and chest. According to the suit, Exum exited his SUV and fired within two seconds of exiting, without issuing verbal commands or warnings, after ramming Martinez's vehicle.

Martinez's legal team expressed frustration that no charges have been filed against Exum by the Department of Justice a year after the shooting. They are pursuing the case under the Federal Tort Claims Act for alleged negligent acts and omissions by federal employees.

"In what world can a U.S. law enforcement officer stand behind a car and fire his Glock service weapon through the rear passenger window at a young woman who's crouched over the steering wheel?" asked attorney Christopher Parente. "The entry points and trajectory of Agent Exum's bullets provide objective evidence that Marimar was not driving toward Agent Exum when he fired his weapon, as he falsely claimed to the FBI."

Body-camera footage reviewed by Martinez's lawyers reportedly shows Exum saying, "all right, it's on now [expletive]" before ramming Martinez's vehicle and firing his weapon.

The Department of Justice declined to comment on the litigation. During the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions, Martinez was initially labeled a "domestic terrorist" and accused of ramming a CBP agent's vehicle while armed.

However, evidence later released indicated Martinez possessed a legally permitted handgun. In November 2025, the DOJ dismissed all charges against Martinez.

An ABC News analysis of videos released by court order suggested that armed agents in Exum's vehicle may have taunted Martinez before Exum's vehicle appeared to swerve into hers.

A DHS spokesperson stated that Agent Exum was placed on administrative leave, consistent with policy, and referred further questions to the DOJ.

Martinez's lawsuit follows similar legal actions by individuals alleging harm during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement. Last week, the family of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, filed federal lawsuits alleging false claims of self-defense by the agent.

"What happened to her is completely senseless," said Brent Ganger, Good's brother, at a press conference. "The time is absolutely now for accountability. We will not be quiet. We will not go away."