Judge dismisses charges against 2 people accused of ramming vehicle of federal agents conducting Chicago immigration sweeps

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

44% : "We do not intend to refile these charges."The decision by the DOJ to dismiss the charges against Martinez and Ruiz came a day after a federal judge in Chicago ordered the government to turn over to the defense additional text messages by the CBP agents involved in the incident.During a Nov. 5 court hearing, CBP Agent Charles Exum, identified as the agent who shot Martinez, was questioned by Parente about text messages he sent to friends and family after the incident in which he appeared to boast about his shooting skills."I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes.
44% : “And then seconds later, he jumps out and just starts shooting."Parente also said Martinez is licensed to carry a concealed weapon and that the gun federal officials claimed she had during the confrontation with CBP agents was never removed from her purse.In response to an ABC News request for comment about the motion to dismiss and Exum's text messages, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reiterated the agency's previous statements, again calling Martinez and Ruiz "domestic terrorists."
39% : A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the indictment against two people accused last month of "ambushing" federal agents conducting an immigration sweep in Chicago, including a woman who was shot five times in the incident.U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis dismissed the charges against Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ruiz after the Department of Justice abruptly requested her to do so.Alexakis dismissed the charges with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be brought back.The government filed a motion earlier Thursday asking the judge to "dismiss the indictment" against Martinez and Ruiz, who were involved in a collision with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Chicago on Oct. 4.Law enforcement officers during a standoff with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal officers in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, Oct. 4, 2025.The incident set off street protests on Chicago's Southwest Side.
37% : I'm excited."Parente told reporters that Martinez didn't deserve to be shot and that they are "going to work on getting her justice," but for now are thankful that the prosecutors "did the right thing."Martinez, 30, and Ruiz, 21, were accused by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of being part of a convoy of protesters in vehicles that converged on CPB agents and rammed their vehicle during what the DHS called an "ambush."An October DHS statement said CBP agents opened fire on Martinez in self-defense, alleging she was "armed with a semi-automatic weapon" and was driving one of three vehicles that "cornered" and rammed the CBP agents' vehicle.A woman walks next to what appears to be smoke as U.S. federal agents (not pictured) detain people in the Old Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago, October 25, 2025.Martinez was later found to have a handgun in her purse, for which she had a license and a concealed carry permit, according to Parente.

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