Chicago Woman Shot Five Times by Border Patrol Agent Sues Federal Government

A woman who survived being shot five times by a Customs and Border Protection agent in Chicago has filed a federal civil lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging new evidence shows the agent was not in danger and should face criminal charges.

Marimar Martinez, a teaching aide at a Montessori school, was shot in her car by CBP agent Charles Exum in October 2025 during the Trump administration's mass immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Midway Blitz. The lawsuit, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act on the anniversary of the shooting, cites negligence, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false arrest, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution.

"The reality is the shoot wasn't justified. She almost lost her life as a result. She's been dealing with the physical and mental injuries ever since then," attorney Michael Gallagher said at a news conference announcing the suit.

The Justice Department declined to comment on ongoing litigation. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Exum was placed on administrative leave consistent with policy, though it did not say whether he remains on leave. Attorneys for Martinez have urged federal prosecutors and local authorities to file criminal charges.

The case raises renewed scrutiny of the tactics used during the 2025 immigration enforcement surge in Chicago, one of the largest such operations in a major U.S. city in recent years.

Reporting by NBC News. Read the original report: Chicago woman shot 5 times by CBP officer files federal lawsuit.