Chicago Citizen Sues CBP

Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen, filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government over Border Patrol agent Charles Exum’s shooting of her in Chicago during Operation Midway Blitz. The Federal Tort Claims Act suit alleges negligence, assault, battery, emotional distress, false arrest and imprisonment, and malicious prosecution; Exum is not a defendant because the law does not allow agents to be sued directly. Federal prosecutors first accused Martinez of trying to ram agents, then dropped the charges. The government initially cast Martinez as the aggressor, while Martinez says Exum rammed her vehicle and shot her without provocation. Her lawyers are urging criminal charges against Exum. CBP said Exum is on administrative leave.