The Border Patrol agent who shot a Chicago teacher five times is now under criminal investigation, MS NOW reported on Thursday.
“Christopher Parente, an attorney for Marimar Martinez, said an assistant U.S. attorney in Indiana confirmed to him that Border Patrol agent Charles Exum is the subject of an investigation into the shooting of Martinez, a 31-year-old U.S. citizen and Montessori school teacher,” said the report. “Lawyers for the government — which unsuccessfully tried to prosecute Martinez for assaulting an officer — have stated in court that there was a ‘separate but related ongoing criminal investigation,’ but have not specified its focus, according to MS NOW’s review of filings.”
“A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection told MS NOW that Exum was placed on administrative leave ‘consistent with policy,’” said the report. “It’s not clear when Exum was placed on leave or whether he is still on leave.”
Body camera footage of the incident showed Exum’s Chevrolet Tahoe colliding with Martínez’s vehicle, before Exum exited the vehicle, and five shots were heard off camera.
This comes following reports that, immediately after the shooting, Exum was roundly praised in text messages by both his colleagues and Border Patrol enforcer Greg Bovino, a high-ranking figure who was overseeing the operations in Chicago at the time. “I would like to extend an offer to you to extend your retirement beyond age 57…. In light of your excellent service in Chicago, you have much left to do!!” Bovino stated.
President Donald Trump himself appeared to be supportive of the action, too.
Bovino, for his part, went on to oversee the even more contentious “Operation Midway Blitz” in Minneapolis, which led to multiple people being fatally shot by federal agents. After these incidents, he was reassigned back to his previous mission in California, and this week, the Trump administration announced a drawdown of forces in Minnesota.
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