Border Patrol Commander Praised Agent Who Shot Chicago Woman, Documents Reveal
Newly released evidence has revealed that Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino praised a federal agent who shot a Chicago woman multiple times during an immigration enforcement operation last year. The documents were made public by attorneys representing Marimar Martinez, a teaching assistant and U.S. citizen who was shot five times by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum in October while she was in her vehicle.
Shooting Incident and Aftermath
The shooting occurred during heightened immigration enforcement activities in the Chicago area, where arrests, protests, and tense standoffs with immigration agents were common across the city of 2.7 million and its suburbs. Initially, Homeland Security officials charged Martinez with a felony, accusing her of attempting to ram agents with her vehicle. However, the case was dismissed after video evidence emerged showing an agent steering his vehicle into Martinez's vehicle.
"This is a time where we just cannot trust the words of our federal officials," attorney Christopher Parente stated during a news conference where his office released the evidence. The released materials included emails, texts, videos, and even a hand-drawn diagram of the scene that attorneys claim contained vehicles that "don't exist."
Commander's Praise and Agent's Response
Among the documents was an email from Commander Gregory Bovino, who led enforcement operations nationwide before returning to his previous post in California last month. Bovino wrote to agent Charles Exum on October 4, stating, "In light of your excellent service in Chicago, you have much yet left to do!!"
In previously released documents, Exum's text messages appeared to show him bragging to colleagues about his shooting skills. "I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys," one text read. In an agent group text, others congratulated Exum, calling him a "legend" and offering to buy him beer.
Misinformation and False Accusations
Martinez's attorneys outlined multiple instances where the Department of Homeland Security spread misinformation about their client after the shooting. This included labeling her a "domestic terrorist" and accusing her of having a history of "doxxing federal agents." The Montessori school assistant has no criminal record, and prosecutors have not presented evidence supporting either claim.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a statement Wednesday saying use-of-force incidents "are thoroughly investigated" and that agent Exum was placed on administrative leave. The government had unsuccessfully fought the document release, with federal prosecutors arguing the materials could damage Exum's reputation.
Legal Proceedings and Congressional Testimony
The documents became public after U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis lifted a protective order last week. Judge Alexakis noted that the government had shown "zero concern" about ruining Martinez's reputation while trying to protect the agent's.
Martinez's attorneys are pursuing a complaint under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which permits individuals to sue federal agencies. If the agency denies the claim or doesn't act on it within six months, they can file a federal lawsuit.
Earlier this month, Martinez testified before congressional Democrats to highlight use-of-force incidents by DHS officers. "They are not targeting the worst of the worst, they are targeting individuals who fit a certain profile, who simply have a certain accent, or a non-white skin color just like mine," she stated during her testimony. "This raises serious concerns about fairness, discrimination, and abuse of authority. The lack of accountability for these actions is deeply troubling."
Similar Case and Personal Impact
Martinez's attorneys said they were particularly motivated to release the evidence after a federal agent fatally shot Minneapolis woman Renee Good under similar circumstances. Members of Good's family also spoke during the congressional hearing.
On the day she was shot, Martinez had followed agents' vehicles and honked her horn to warn others of the presence of immigration agents. Body camera footage showed agents with weapons drawn rushing out of their vehicle, with one agent saying, "It's time to get aggressive and get the (expletive) out."
Martinez was hospitalized before being taken into FBI custody, and the agency still has her car. She said the incident has left her with mistrust of law enforcement, which accused her of being armed. While Martinez has a valid concealed-carry license and had a handgun in her purse, attorneys showed a picture of it in a pink holster at the bottom of her purse, saying it remained there during the encounter.
Martinez is scheduled to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address this month as the guest of U.S. Representative Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. During the news conference where evidence was released, Martinez sat near her attorneys but remained largely silent and declined an Associated Press interview request, though she has spoken to local media and before lawmakers in recent weeks.
