Chicago woman sues federal government over 2025 Border Patrol shooting

Marimar Martinez, a Chicago teacher’s aide, is preparing to file a federal lawsuit over a shooting by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum on Oct. 4, 2025, in Brighton Park. She survived seven injuries after Exum allegedly fired five shots into her Nissan Rogue, including three at the windshield and two at the side windows. A forensic reconstruction presented by her lawyers contradicts the government’s narrative that Martinez deliberately drove toward agents, showing instead that Exum’s vehicle swerved into hers.

The Illinois Accountability Commission has already concluded the shooting was unjustified and that official reports were altered. Chicago police detectives are now investigating the incident for possible criminal charges. Martinez’s legal team emphasizes that the suit seeks justice and accountability, not partisan advantage, and cites broader concerns about the Trump administration’s Operation Midway Blitz deportation campaign.