Lawyers of Chicago woman shot by federal agents say documents show how DHS lies about investigations

CHICAGO (AP) — Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino praised a federal agent who shot a Chicago woman during an immigration crackdown last year, according to evidence released Wednesday by attorneys who accused the Trump administration of mishandling the investigation and spreading lies about the shooting.

Marimar Martinez, a teaching assistant and U.S. citizen, was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent in October while in her vehicle. She was charged with a felony after Homeland Security officials accused her of trying to ram agents with her vehicle. But the case was dismissed after videos emerged showing an agent steering his vehicle into Martinez’s vehicle.

Her attorneys pushed to make evidence in the now-dissolved criminal case public, saying they were especially motivated after a federal agent fatally shot Minneapolis woman Renee Good under similar circumstances.

Martinez's attorneys are pursuing a complaint under a law that permits individuals to sue federal agencies. They outlined instances of DHS lying about Martinez after the shooting, including labeling her a “domestic terrorist” and accusing her of having a history of “doxxing federal agents.” The Montessori school assistant has no criminal record and prosecutors haven't brought evidence in either claim.

“This is a time where we just cannot trust the words of our federal officials,” attorney Christopher Parente said at a news conference where his office released evidence.

That included an agent’s hand-drawn diagram of the scene to allege how Martinez “boxed in” federal agents. It included vehicles Parente said “don’t exist.”

Many of the emails, texts and videos were released the night before by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In a statement Wednesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said use-of-force incidents “are thoroughly investigated” and the agent involved, Charles Exum, was placed on administrative leave.

The shooting came during the height of the Chicago-area crackdown. Arrests, protests and tense standoffs with immigration agents were common across the city of 2.7 million and its suburbs. Weeks before the Martinez shooting, agents fatally shot a suburban Chicago dad in a traffic stop.

The government unsuccessfully fought the document release, including an email from Bovino, who led enforcement operations nationwide before he returned to his previous post in California last month.

“In light of your excellent service in Chicago, you have much yet left to do!!” Bovino wrote Exum on Oct. 4.

In an agent group text, others congratulated Exum, calling him a “legend" and offering to buy him beer. In previously released documents, Exum's text messages appeared to show him bragging to colleagues about his shooting skills.

“I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys,” the text read.

The latest documents are public now because U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis lifted a protective order last week. Federal prosecutors argued the documents could damage Exum's reputation. But Alexakis said the government has shown “zero concern” about ruining Martinez's reputation.

On the day Martinez was shot, she had followed agents' vehicle and honked her horn to warn others of the presence of immigration agents. Body camera footage showed agents with weapons drawn and rushing out of the vehicle.

“It’s time to get aggressive and get the (expletive) out,” one agent said.

Martinez, who sat near her attorneys, was largely silent during the news conference.

She declined an Associated Press interview request. In recent weeks she has spoken to local media and before lawmakers.

Earlier this month, Martinez testified before congressional Democrats to highlight use-of-force incidents by DHS officers. Members of Good’s family also spoke. Martinez is scheduled to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address this month as the guest of U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.

She was hospitalized before being taken into the custody of the FBI, which still has her car. Martinez said the incident has left her with mistrust of law enforcement, which accused her of being armed.

Martinez has a valid concealed-carry license and had a handgun in her purse. Attorneys showed a picture of it in a pink holster at the bottom of her purse, saying it remained there during the encounter.

“They are not targeting the worst of the worst, they are targeting individuals who fit a certain profile, who simply have a certain accent, or a non-white skin color just like mine. This raises serious concerns about fairness, discrimination, and abuse of authority,” she said during her congressional testimony. “The lack of accountability for these actions is deeply troubling.”

Martinez’s attorneys said they’d pursue a complaint under the Federal Tort Claims Act. If the agency denies the claim or doesn't act on it within six months, they can file a federal lawsuit.

Marimar Martinez, a woman who was shot by a Border Patrol agent last year, arrives with her attorneys during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Marimar Martinez, left, a woman who was shot by a Border Patrol agent last year, sits with her attorneys during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Marimar Martinez, a woman who was shot by a Border Patrol agent last year, sits with her attorneys during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Attorney Christopher Parente speaks during a press conference with his client Marimar Martinez, a Chicago woman who was shot by a Border Patrol agent last year, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Marimar Martinez, a woman who was shot by a Border Patrol agent last year, sits with her attorneys during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

MILAN (AP) — Martin Fehervary was still catching his breath. Fresh off the ice from playing in the first men's hockey game at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the defenseman from Slovakia knew he wasn't in North America anymore.

“The pace of the game was really fast,” Fehervary said. “I felt like it was even faster than in the NHL.”

The return of the best players in the world to the Olympics got off to a frantic, fast-paced start Wednesday when Slovakia upset Finland in the first of 30 games in the tournament that will conclude with the gold medal final on Feb. 22. The NHL is participating in the Games for the first time in 12 years going back to Sochi in 2014, ending a long wait for stars from all over the world.

“Had a tough time sleeping last night, and then just getting ready for this game,” 35-year-old first-time Olympian Victor Hedman said after he scored an empty-net goal to help Sweden survive a scare from Italy and win 5-2. “Phenomenal. Nerves.”

Italy has no NHL players, and yet the host country got off to quite the start against heavily favored Sweden. Homegrown winger Luca Frigo, put Italy up 1-0 just a few minutes into the game, sparking chants of “Italia! Italia!" from the excited crowd.

“It was indescribable," captain Thomas Larkin said. "The support we got when we scored that first goal was absolutely unbelievable. It’s something that I’m sure I’ll remember for a long, long time.”

Matt Bradley, a Vancouver native whose 95-year-old grandfather Guido Garzitto is from Italy, also scored after expressing motivation to show up in men's hockey and make the country proud against some tough competition.

“A once-in-a-lifetime amazing feeling,” Bradley said. “Overjoyed with emotions for that.”

The tournament favorites get underway Thursday. The U.S. faces Latvia, while Canada takes on Czechia.

“It’s been a long process, but we’re very excited to have a game," U.S. general manager Bill Guerin said. "The players are really looking forward to it. They need a game. They want a game. Just really looking forward to getting started.”

They got to sit and watch what it might be like to take center stage at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, which was nearly filled to the capacity of 11,600 by the time Finland’s Anton Lundell and Slovakia’s Adam Ruzicka lined up for the opening faceoff 20 minutes before 5 p.m. local time.

The crowd roared in the opening moments when scoring chances materialized and gasped when Slovakia goaltender Samuel Hlavaj stopped a slap shot from point-blank range.

“It was awesome," Hlavaj said after his team's 4-1 win. "It felt like we were playing at the home rink.”

Juraj Slafkovsky scored the first men's hockey goal in Milan for Slovakia just under eight minutes in, picking up where he left off in Beijing four years ago. He scored again in the third period, setting off a boisterous crowd that was wired from the start and even at one point did the wave.

More importantly than that, the fans were loud — and players noticed.

"I didn’t really expect anything like that (or) close it," Slovakia defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion Erik Cernak said. "They were amazing. It felt like we were playing at home. There was so many Slovakian fans and everybody, so I’m glad they came here and supported us and hopefully we gave them a great show.”

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Italy's goalkeeper Damian Clara (20) makes a save against Sweden's William Nylander (88) during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey between Italy and Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Slovakia's Adam Ruzicka (21), left, challenges Finland's Niko Mikkola (77) during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey between Slovakia and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Finland's Sebastian Aho (20), left, challenges Slovakia's Dalibor Dvorsky (15) during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey between Slovakia and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Finland's Niko Mikkola (77)challenges Slovakia's Tomas Tatar (90) during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey between Slovakia and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Finland's Eetu Luostarinen (27) top and Slovakia's Simon Nemec (17) bottom scuffle in the second period during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)

Slovakia's goalkeeper Samuel Hlavaj, right, makes a save against Finland's Joel Armia, center, and Finland's Erik Haula during a preliminary round match of men's ice hockey between Slovakia and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)