Overview
- Joshua Orta, 25, died in an unrelated car crash in San Antonio days before he planned to formalize a statement contradicting DHS’s account.
- DHS maintains the ICE agent fired in self-defense during the March 15, 2025 encounter near South Padre Island, reiterating its original statement.
- Orta had said neither man resisted officers and that Martinez was shot at close range without warning, according to statements reported by the New York Times.
- The Texas DPS Ranger Division is leading an active investigation as attorneys for Martinez’s mother press for full public disclosure of the evidence.
- Martinez’s death was not publicly disclosed at the time and surfaced through records requests, and Texas Rep. Ray Lopez has moved to compel a House hearing.