On Thursday, 3/19, join us at the Chicago Police Board meeting to tell Superintendent Snelling that CPD Must Investigate Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum’s Shooting of Marimar Martinez
On October 4, 2025, Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez five times as she tried to drive away. DHS put out a statement saying the shooting was justified because the federal agents were “rammed by 10 cars” and “boxed in.” These were all lies. All charges against Ms. Martinez and Anthony Ruiz, her co-defendant, were dismissed in November.
The Chicago Police Department chose not to conduct its own investigation. Worse, CPD Superintendent Snelling parroted DHS’s false justification and implied Ms. Martinez deserved to be shot. During an October 6, 2025 press conference Snelling said “[i]f you box them in with vehicles…it’s reasonable for them to use force based on those conditions.”
Now, five months later, Snelling has not apologized. CPD still has not opened an investigation into Exum’s shooting of Marimar Martinez. State’s Attorney Burke claims she can’t prosecute until CPD investigates Exum and refers the case for prosecution. Snelling and Burke are protecting Exum, and each other, when they should be protecting us.
Attend Thursday’s Police Board Meeting and tell Superintendent Snelling and the CPD to IMMEDIATELY open a criminal investigation into Exum’s shooting of Ms. Martinez
Where: City of Chicago Public Safety Headquarters @ 3510 South Michigan Ave
How: Arrive and sign up to speak by 7:15. Each speaker is limited to two minutes. You can use the script below or put these facts into your own words.
I live in Chicago. I am very disappointed that the Chicago Police Department adopted Homeland Security’s version of events without conducting its own investigation.
It has now been more than four months since Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez. CPD must immediately open an investigation into Exum’s criminal act. The CPD can interview Ms. Martinez. They can interview Anthony Ruiz. They can review video. They can review the evidence from the failed federal prosecution of Ms. Martinez that was released by the FBI this week. It is CPD’s job to investigate violations of Illinois law – even when the perpetrator is a federal agent and even when he does not cooperate. If the CPD continues to give special treatment to federal agents, and permit them to violate Illinois law, it will embolden federal agents to injure more Chicago residents, and potentially kill them. Please do your job and immediately open an investigation into Charles Exum.
IL-FAFO 