Joshua Orta, the passenger who was riding with Ruben Ray Martinez when Martinez was fatally shot by a federal agent last March and who intended to dispute the official account of the incident, has died in a car crash. Orta's death occurred before he could formally cooperate with the investigation into the shooting, according to attorneys and newly released documents.
Fatal Shooting and Contradictory Accounts
On March 15, 2025, Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot and killed by a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent on South Padre Island, Texas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that Martinez failed to comply with orders to stop and exit his vehicle, accelerated toward officers, and struck an HSI agent before another agent fatally shot him in what was described as a defensive action.
However, Joshua Orta provided a witness statement that contradicted this version of events. Orta alleged that he and Martinez had driven to South Padre Island to celebrate Martinez's 23rd birthday. They encountered a car crash scene, and Martinez grew concerned due to an open alcohol container in the vehicle. Orta stated that an officer instructed them to turn around, but traffic was heavily backed up, leaving no clear path.
Orta's Detailed Allegations
Orta claimed that as they inched forward, a state trooper approached their car and slapped the hood. Another officer appeared to try to get in front of the vehicle before one yelled to stop and drew firearms. According to Orta, Martinez was then shot multiple times in the chest without any warning or chance to comply. Orta heard Martinez say, "I'm sorry," before he slumped backward. Officers subsequently placed Martinez on the ground face down and handcuffed him.
Orta concluded that Martinez was unarmed, nonviolent, not fleeing, and not resisting at the time of the shooting, calling the killing unjustified and excessive. He had given a verbal account but had not signed his statement before his death, as confirmed by attorneys for the Martinez family.
Orta's Tragic Death
Joshua Orta died in an unrelated car crash on a San Antonio highway in the early hours of a Saturday. Police reported that he was driving at high speed, lost control, struck a pole, and the vehicle caught fire. He was killed before his stepsister and two other passengers could pull him out. His death represents a significant loss for the investigation, as he was a key eyewitness poised to challenge law enforcement's narrative.
Legal and Family Reactions
Alex Stamm, an attorney representing Martinez's mother, Rachel Reyes, described Orta's death as a tragedy for both families. Stamm emphasized that the world has lost a critical eyewitness to Martinez's shooting. He expressed belief in Orta's account and suggested that DHS may not be truthful, citing recent similar shootings involving ICE agents.
Rachel Reyes disputed DHS's characterization of her son, describing him as a hardworking young man with no criminal history. She noted that Orta's account aligned with what investigators initially told her, and she felt shocked and insulted by the official report. Reyes called for a full investigation, questioning why federal officers were present at a traffic collision scene.
Broader Context and Investigations
Martinez's death was initially reported as an "officer-involved shooting" by local media, but newly released documents reveal it involved federal agents. DHS has stood by its original statement, while the Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger Division is investigating the incident, with the probe still active and no further information available.
The case has heightened tensions amid nationwide protests calling for ICE to scale back operations or be abolished, following other fatal shootings by ICE agents, such as those of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota. These incidents have raised concerns about ICE's use of force and transparency, with critics alleging a pattern of excessive actions.
US Representative Joaquin Castro has called for an investigation into Martinez's shooting, labeling it an "organized cover-up." The newly revealed documents suggest that ICE may have killed more US citizens than previously believed, fueling public outcry and demands for accountability.
As the investigation continues, the loss of Joshua Orta as a witness underscores the challenges in uncovering the truth behind Martinez's death, leaving families and advocates grappling with grief and seeking justice in a climate of heightened scrutiny over federal enforcement practices.
