CHICAGO (WGN) — A Chicago woman who was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent during Operation Midway Blitz filed a lawsuit against the federal government Monday, calling for more action against the agent who shot her.
Marimar Martinez said the encounter with Border Patrol agents happened in Oct. 2025. She was allegedly heading to church to drop off clothing donations when she noticed immigration officers on her street.
“For the next 15 to 20 minutes, I followed these Border Patrol agents through my neighborhood, honking my horn, shouting out ‘La Migra,’” Martinez said while testifying on Capitol Hill in Feb.
Martinez said the driver of the Border Patrol vehicle she was following made eye contact with her before swerving into and hitting her truck.
“I drove forward and went around the Border Patrol agent who jumped out of his car and pointed his gun at me. I moved to the far-left lane, striking the curb on the far-left side of Kedzie (Avenue). The next thing I knew, I felt a burning sensation in my arms and legs,” Martinez said. “As I continued trying to drive past the Border Patrol agents, I could hear my back passenger window shatter, and I felt bullets continue to pierce my body.” Chicago woman recounts violent encounter with Border Patrol before Congress The Department of Homeland Security called her a domestic terrorist and charged her with using her vehicle to assault federal agents.
While addressing the civil lawsuit outside a downtown Chicago law office Monday, attorneys representing Martinez said they are seeking more transparency and accountability.
“We are here today, exactly one year and one day after the shooting of Marimar by agent Charles Exum. As you all know, there has been absolutely zero progress from the Department of Justice as far as accountability goes,” attorney Chris Parente said. “There’s been no investigation. There’s been no charges.”
Chicago woman shot 5 times by Border Patrol agent files federal lawsuit
