Chicago Motorists Charged After Border Patrol Shoots Woman During High-Speed Confrontation

A tense Saturday morning encounter between federal Border Patrol agents and two Chicago motorists escalated into gunfire, hospitalization, and now federal criminal charges—sparking controversy over conflicting official accounts and raising fresh questions about law enforcement transparency in urban settings.

What Happened in Chicago’s Southwest Side?

According to a federal criminal complaint filed Sunday, October 5, 2025, Marimar Martinez, 30, and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, 21, are accused of using their vehicles to “assault, impede, and interfere with the work of federal agents” during a high-speed chase that began in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and ended in Chicago’s Southwest Side.

The incident culminated when Martinez allegedly drove her car directly toward a Border Patrol agent, prompting him to fire five shots. She was struck, treated at a local hospital, and later released. Both she and Ruiz now face federal charges.

Conflicting Narratives Fuel Public Doubt

The federal complaint paints a clear picture: the two motorists pursued agents across municipal lines, ran multiple red lights, and intentionally rammed an agent’s vehicle. When the agents exited their car, Martinez allegedly accelerated toward one, leading to the shooting.

But this version starkly contradicts an earlier statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which claimed the driver was “armed with a semiautomatic weapon” and that agents “deployed defensive shots” in response. Notably, the criminal complaint makes no mention of any firearm in either motorist’s possession.

Adding another layer, Ruiz’s mother, Elizabeth Ruiz, told The New York Times her son called her during the incident, saying, “Mom, they hit me… ICE.” She claims federal vehicles struck her son’s car first—and that the shooting came without warning.

Who Are the People Involved?

Marimar Martinez: 30-year-old Chicago resident; hospitalized and released after being shot five times by a Border Patrol agent.
Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz: 21-year-old Chicago resident; remains in federal custody as of October 6.
Border Patrol Agents: Three unnamed agents conducting an “operation” in Oak Lawn; one fired the shots.

Legal and Community Reactions

Chicago-based civil rights advocates have called for immediate release of bodycam or dashcam footage, which has not yet been made public. “When federal agents operate in city neighborhoods, accountability must follow,” said local organizer Lena Torres.

Martinez’s attorney, Christopher Parente, said he is still gathering facts but emphasized that “no weapon was found” on his client. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors argue the vehicle itself was used as a weapon—an interpretation that could carry serious penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 111.

Border Patrol Operations in Urban Areas: A Growing Concern?

While Border Patrol typically operates within 100 miles of international borders (which includes Chicago under federal law), its presence in city neighborhoods has long drawn criticism. Data from the American Immigration Council shows: