**CBP Agent Who Shot Chicago Woman Placed on Administrative Leave Amid Controversy**
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent who shot Chicago woman Marimar Martinez five times last fall has been placed on administrative leave. Newly released video footage and other evidence from the incident shed new light on what happened moments before and after the shooting.
### New Evidence Reveals Troubling Details
Video evidence and text messages disclosed after the shooting reveal the agent, Charles Exum, joked about the incident afterward. He was praised by fellow agents and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. Lawyers representing Martinez have accused the Trump administration of mishandling the investigation and spreading falsehoods surrounding the shooting.
Martinez has persistently fought for the release of key evidence in her case, citing the public’s need for transparency following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis.
### Administrative Leave Confirmed
A CBP spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that Agent Exum has been placed on administrative leave, although it remains unclear when this action began. Over the past five months, federal officials had not disclosed any leave status for Exum.
“CBP is committed to the highest standards of conduct, transparency, and accountability. All significant use-of-force incidents are thoroughly investigated, reviewed, and presented to the National Use of Force Review Board (NUFRB), an independent body comprised of senior CBP officials and representatives from DHS and DOJ, including the DOJ Civil Rights Division,” the spokesman said.
### The Incident: October 4, 2025
Martinez, 30, was shot on October 4, 2025, amid a significant increase in aggressive immigration enforcement in Chicago under former CBP Commander Gregory Bovino. At the time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed Martinez chased federal agents and rammed her car into an agent’s vehicle during an anti-ICE protest near Pershing Road and Kedzie Avenue.
However, Martinez’s attorneys countered these claims, stating she was driving alongside the agents. Nearly two months later, federal prosecutors dropped assault charges against her and admitted in court that Martinez did not ram the agents’ car.
### Pursuing Accountability
Martinez’s lawyers are pursuing a complaint under a law that allows individuals to sue federal agencies. They highlighted instances of DHS misinformation after the shooting, including labeling Martinez a “domestic terrorist” and accusing her of “doxxing federal agents.” Martinez, a Montessori school assistant, has no criminal record, and prosecutors have presented no evidence supporting these allegations.
### Bodycam Footage and Text Messages Released
On Tuesday evening, three videos, each between 15 and 20 minutes, were released after a judge ruled the materials could be made public. The footage captures the scene before and after the shooting, largely supporting Martinez’s account.
In one video, agents inside their vehicle are heard saying, “we are boxed in” before their car collided with another. Agent Exum, driving the car, says, “It’s time to get aggressive and get the f*** out. They’re trying to box us in. We’re boxed in.” However, surveillance footage shows Exum’s car stopped with no vehicle directly in front, contradicting his claim.
Another bodycam angle shows Exum steering his vehicle left into Martinez’s car, contradicting his FBI statements where he claimed Martinez rammed them. Martinez’s attorney explained that she had been following the agents for about 15 minutes, honking to alert the community about the federal agents’ presence when Exum deliberately swerved into her.
After Exum exited his car, he fired five shots as Martinez drove by. The shooting itself was not captured on video, as Exum’s bodycam was not turned on during the incident. Nonetheless, he was heard recounting the event, stating, “We did not get shot at. We did the shooting.”
Exum later admitted in an interview with Martinez’s attorney that no ramming occurred. “I asked him, ‘Well, we both agree that there was no ramming here. Is that fair to say?’ And Agent Exum said, ‘By my definition, yes, sir,’” attorney Chris Parente said.
### Disturbing Text Messages and Praises
Also released were images of the agent’s vehicle and text messages sent by Exum immediately after the shooting. He texted fellow officers saying, “s*** happens,” and later wrote, “I have a MOF amendment to add to my story. I fired 5 round and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys.” A responding message read, “good shootin, lol,” to which Exum replied, “gracias senor.”
An email from Border Patrol Commander Bovino to Exum praised his “excellent service” and said he had “much yet left to do.” This email was sent only hours after the shooting, while Martinez was still hospitalized recovering from multiple gunshot wounds, as she revealed during an interview on CBS’ *60 Minutes*.
### Calls for Reform and Accountability
Parente expressed hope that releasing this evidence will pressure elected officials to hold federal agents accountable and encourage behavioral changes within enforcement agencies. The government had unsuccessfully fought the release of these documents, including Bovino’s email. Bovino recently returned to his previous post in California after leading enforcement operations nationwide.
Martinez and her lawyers plan to file a new federal lawsuit seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages. A complaint was filed Wednesday to initiate the process, and the government has six months to respond before a formal lawsuit can proceed.
Parente remains optimistic that Martinez’s case will help garner support among lawmakers for substantial reforms in federal immigration enforcement.
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*This case continues to raise serious questions about the conduct and accountability of federal law enforcement agencies.*
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/marimar-martinez-shooting-chicago-video-texts-border-patrol/
