SAN ANTONIO – Nearly a year after Ruben Ray Martinez was shot and killed by federal agents on South Padre Island while celebrating his birthday, his loved ones and supporters gathered to demand answers and justice.
Protesters rallied in front of San Antonio City Hall a day before the one-year mark of Martinez’s death, calling for an independent investigation into the shooting.
“I’m here to seek justice for Ruben Ray Martinez,” said Pedro Ruiz, a protester.
Martinez, 23, died on South Padre Island last March after being stopped by agents who were directing traffic. Demonstrators chanted, “Justice for Ruben.”
Protesters said they do not trust statements from the Department of Homeland Security about what happened. They pointed to how long it took for information about the incident to become public and to other deaths linked to federal agents, including the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
“San Antonio is only finding out about this almost a year later because of this heinous cover-up by the federal government,” said Corrie Rosen, identified as a PSL member.
DHS has issued its own statement on the case, saying Martinez intentionally hit an agent with his car before he was shot. A witness who was in the car with Martinez, Joshua Orta, said Martinez did not hit an officer with the car.
Orta later died in a separate accident in San Antonio less than a month ago, and his family spoke at the gathering.
“I refuse to let them use my brother’s death in vain to give themselves justification for their actions,” said Paul Mandujano.
Body camera footage released from multiple officers at the scene did not show critical moments leading up to the shooting. A Cameron County grand jury reviewed evidence and ruled it could not issue an indictment. Prosecutors can still pursue a case, but rarely do.
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