Chicago Woman Shot by Border Patrol Set to Attend Trump’s State of the Union
A Chicago woman who was shot multiple times by a Border Patrol agent last year aims to attend President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address. Marimar Martinez, injured in an October shooting in Brighton Park, seeks to have body camera footage and text messages from the Border Patrol agent, Charles Exum, publicly released.
Background of the Incident
Martinez was shot five times in October during an encounter with federal agents. After surviving the incident, charges against her were dismissed weeks later. She has since been vocal about her experience, speaking out through interviews and testimony before a congressional committee.
Motivation to Seek Evidence Release
The recent killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis heightened Martinez’s desire to uncover evidence related to her case. Her attorney, Christopher Parente, detailed these motivations in a court filing.
- Date of Shooting: October 4, 2025
- Agent Involved: Charles Exum
- Upcoming Event: Trump’s State of the Union on February 24, 2026
- Representative Hosting Martinez: Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia
Legal Proceedings and Challenges
The federal court, presided over by Judge Georgia Alexakis, will address whether the evidence should be made public. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Bond opposes the release, citing the need to protect sensitive law enforcement materials.
Bond’s filing claimed that releasing text messages exchanged between Exum and his family would unfairly tarnish their reputations. However, Parente argues that these messages are crucial for contextualizing the incident.
Public Statements and Allegations
Martinez has expressed concerns regarding how federal agents labelled her and others involved as “domestic terrorists.” Parente emphasized that the texts exchanged by Exum after the shooting need public scrutiny to address these allegations.
Strikingly, Exum reportedly bragged about the shooting in messages sent shortly after the incident. Body camera footage might also reveal troubling comments made by agents before the shooting occurred.
Continued Advocacy
Martinez is determined to shine a light on the events surrounding her case. She believes that exposure of the evidence will support her claims and address the broader issue of federal agent misconduct.
Community Impact and Ongoing Concerns
In the wake of these federal actions, the community remains uneasy. Martinez’s case reflects a critical conversation about the use of force by federal agents, particularly in relation to marginalized groups.
Martinez hopes for a future where such incidents are more thoroughly investigated, ensuring accountability from law enforcement. Her upcoming attendance at the State of the Union is a step toward raising awareness about these pressing issues.
