The Department of Justice has filed federal charges against two individuals accused of assaulting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a protest in Chicago. The incident occurred on Saturday when anti-ICE demonstrators allegedly targeted federal law enforcement officers.
According to court documents, Marimar Martinez, 30, and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, 21, drove vehicles in a civilian “convoy” that followed ICE agents conducting a security detail for a Customs and Border Protection operation. The complaint states the drivers “drove aggressively and erratically,” disobeyed traffic signals, and traveled the wrong way on one-way streets to pursue the federal vehicles.
As the agents’ vehicle approached 39th Street and Kedzie Avenue, civilian cars boxed them in. Martinez’s vehicle sideswiped a federal vehicle, while Ruiz’s struck its rear-right side. Agents exited their vehicle, and Martinez drove toward one of them before being shot in the leg by an agent. Paramedics treated Martinez for gunshot wounds at a hospital, and she was later taken into FBI custody. Ruiz was arrested at a gas station after the incident.
A Department of Homeland Security statement confirmed that Martinez “rammed her vehicle into the vehicle of federal agents” and was subjected to “defensive fire.” The charges against both individuals include forcibly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with federal law enforcement officers. Each faces potential sentences of 20 or more years in prison and fines up to $350,000.
Six additional people were arrested during protests following the attack, with charges including resisting, obstructing, and simple battery. Relatives of Martinez stated she was “OK” and remained in federal custody. The case highlights ongoing tensions between anti-ICE activists and law enforcement.