Chicago woman shot by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum sues Trump administration

Marimar Martinez, a Chicago woman shot five times by Border Patrol agent Charles Exum on October 4, 2025, filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government on October 5, 2026. The lawsuit alleges negligence and malicious prosecution, supported by a forensic trajectory analysis indicating Exum lied about Martinez driving toward him. Initial criminal charges against Martinez were dropped after video evidence and Exum's bragging messages emerged. The shooting occurred during Operation Midway Blitz, a controversial Trump administration immigration crackdown.

The shooting of Marimar Martinez

• ▪Marimar Martinez suffered seven gunshot wounds from five rounds fired by Customs and Border Protection agent Charles Exum.
• ▪Marimar Martinez was shot by Customs and Border Protection agent Charles Exum on October 4, 2025, in Chicago during an immigration enforcement operation.

Dispute over the shooting trajectory

• ▪Customs and Border Protection agent Charles Exum told the FBI that Marimar Martinez drove her car directly at him and that he shot her through the windshield.
• ▪Attorney Chris Parente accused Customs and Border Protection agent Charles Exum of lying to the FBI about the positioning and trajectory of the October 2025 shooting.
• ▪A forensic analysis commissioned by Marimar Martinez's lawyers concluded that Customs and Border Protection agent Charles Exum was not in the path of her vehicle when he fired.
• ▪Forensic analysis of Marimar Martinez's vehicle showed three bullet holes in the front windshield, one in the front passenger window, and one through the rear passenger seat.

Federal lawsuit against the government

• ▪Marimar Martinez filed a federal civil lawsuit against the United States government on October 5, 2026, under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
• ▪The federal lawsuit alleges negligence, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false arrest, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution.

Dismissal of criminal charges

• ▪Federal prosecutors dropped all criminal charges against Marimar Martinez in the month after the shooting, one month after she was accused of attempting to ram federal officers.
• ▪Criminal charges against Marimar Martinez were dismissed after video evidence emerged and messages showed Customs and Border Protection agent Charles Exum bragging about the shooting.

Context of Operation Midway Blitz

• ▪The October 4, 2025, shooting occurred during Operation Midway Blitz, a sweeping immigration enforcement surge launched in Chicago under the Trump administration.
• ▪Operation Midway Blitz was part of a broader Trump administration immigration crackdown that resulted in multiple shootings of civilians in their vehicles by federal agents.

Debatable claims

• ▪Federal immigration agents should be prohibited from firing at moving vehicles
• ▪The Trump administration's aggressive urban immigration crackdowns are justified
• ▪The shooting of Marimar Martinez warrants criminal charges against Agent Charles Exum
• ▪Immunity from personal civil lawsuits is necessary for effective federal law enforcement