Witness Who Disputed ICE Account In Martinez Shooting Dies

A key witness who disputed the federal government’s account of the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Texas has died in a car accident, according to published reports.

The witness was identified in coverage as Joshua Orta. Orta was described as the only eyewitness who publicly challenged ICE’s version of events in the shooting death of Martinez, a San Antonio man. Reports said Orta died in a vehicle crash days before he was scheduled to sign a formal statement about what he said he saw.

Martinez was shot and killed during an encounter involving an ICE agent. Federal officials provided an account of the incident that Orta later contested, according to the reports. Orta’s death removes a firsthand observer from a case that has drawn scrutiny because of the conflicting descriptions of the shooting.

The development matters because eyewitness testimony can be central in investigations of law enforcement use of force, particularly when public accounts diverge. When there are competing narratives, investigators and attorneys often rely on statements from direct witnesses to corroborate timelines, assess perceived threats, and evaluate whether actions taken were justified.

Orta had been positioned as a critical voice in that process. Reports described him as someone whose recollection differed from the official explanation given by federal authorities. His death means any future proceedings will likely depend more heavily on other evidence, such as physical evidence, forensic analysis, recordings if they exist, and statements from agents or other involved parties.

It also raises practical questions for the case, including what documentation of Orta’s account already exists and whether it can be used. Published coverage indicated he had not yet signed the statement he was expected to provide, a detail that could affect how his observations are formally incorporated into an investigative record.

Next steps are expected to focus on the status of the investigation into Martinez’s death and how authorities and attorneys proceed without a key witness who had challenged the government’s narrative. The handling of any prior interviews, notes, or communications involving Orta could become important, as could any additional witnesses who may emerge.

Separately, authorities will investigate the circumstances of Orta’s fatal car accident as they would any deadly crash. The reports did not provide further details about the wreck beyond noting that it resulted in his death.

For the Martinez case, Orta’s death marks a significant turning point: one of the most prominent sources disputing the official account is no longer able to provide sworn testimony.