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Gabinete de los Horrores: Charles Exum -- CBP Agent, Chicago

Published by: Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Last Updated: 2026-02-12
Confidence: HIGH -- 15+ sources across Tier 1-2 outlets, federal court testimony, released body camera footage, text message evidence, court filings, and victim testimony before Congress

Summary

Shot a U.S. Citizen Five Times, Then Bragged About It

Exum shot Marimar Martinez five times, texted "I fired 5 rounds, and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys," then wrote "LMAO" while sharing a news link. His commander praised him hours later. No criminal charges filed.

Charles Exum is a 23-year U.S. Border Patrol veteran and firearms instructor stationed in Maine who, on October 4, 2025, shot 30-year-old U.S. citizen Marimar Martinez five times while she sat in her vehicle in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood during Operation Midway Blitz.

After the shooting, Exum texted friends and colleagues: "I fired 5 rounds, and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys." He shared a news link about the shooting and wrote "LMAO." He texted that he was "up for another round of 'f--- around and find out.'" His superiors rallied behind him -- CBP Commander Gregory Bovino emailed Exum praising his "excellent service" and offering to extend his retirement, hours after the shooting while Martinez was still in the hospital. Exum reported that support came from "Chief Bovino, Chief Banks, Sec Noem and El Jefe himself."

The government charged Martinez with assaulting federal officers and labeled her a "domestic terrorist" on the DHS website. Exum initially told the FBI that Martinez rammed his vehicle. He later admitted under oath that this did not happen. The charges against Martinez were dismissed with prejudice in November 2025.

A federal judge ordered the release of body camera footage, text messages, and FBI reports in February 2026. The evidence systematically contradicted every major government claim about the incident. Exum was placed on administrative leave, though the timing of this action is unclear. No criminal charges have been filed against him.

Background

Career

  • 23-year U.S. Border Patrol veteran
  • Home duty station: Maine
  • Firearms instructor (self-described: "I am a firearms instructor and I take pride in my shooting skills")
  • Deployed to Chicago on temporary duty assignment for Operation Midway Blitz, which began in early September 2025 and was scheduled to end in October
  • Has never been suspended by the Border Patrol (confirmed in his own testimony)

Known Details

  • No detailed biographical information has been released publicly beyond his career details and Maine posting
  • Court testimony and text messages provide the primary window into his conduct and character

(Sources: ABC News; CNN; CBS Chicago; WBEZ)

The Shooting -- October 4, 2025

What Happened

On October 4, 2025, Marimar Martinez, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen, Montessori school assistant, and member of a Mexican-American family in Brighton Park, Chicago, observed a carload of CBP agents driving through her neighborhood during Operation Midway Blitz. She followed them in her car, honking her horn and shouting "la migra" to warn neighbors about the presence of immigration officers.

The Collision

Body camera footage released in February 2026 shows:

  • Agents inside the CBP vehicle said: "It's time to get aggressive" and "We're going to make contact, we're boxed in."
  • Surveillance footage from the area contradicted the "boxed in" claim -- the CBP vehicle was stopped with no one blocking it.
  • Footage shows Exum pulling his steering wheel to the left, toward Martinez's car, immediately after agents said "it's time to get aggressive."
  • The federal vehicle collided with Martinez's Nissan Rogue.

The Shooting

  • Within two seconds of opening his car door after the collision, Exum fired five rounds.
  • All five bullets struck Martinez, causing seven wounds (entry and exit wounds).
  • Martinez was hit in the arms, legs, and chest.
  • Exum was not wearing his body camera at the time of the shooting.
  • Martinez's attorneys stated that at least one bullet traveled from the back to the front of Martinez's car, indicating she was being shot at as she fled -- a violation of Border Patrol's published use-of-force policy.
  • Martinez survived.

False Government Narrative

Government claim: Martinez "rammed" the CBP vehicle and drove toward Exum when he exited.

Reality: Exum later admitted under oath that the "ramming" did not happen. Body camera footage shows the CBP vehicle turning into Martinez's car, not the reverse. The government dropped this claim.

Government claim: Martinez participated in an "ambush" of CBP agents.

Reality: Martinez was driving in her own neighborhood. She has no criminal record. No evidence of any "ambush" was ever presented.

Government label: DHS referred to Martinez as a "domestic terrorist" on its official website -- a characterization that remained as late as February 2026. See also: the killing of Renee Good, where DHS used the same "domestic terrorist" label.

Reality: Martinez is a Montessori school assistant with no criminal record. Prosecutors never brought evidence for the "domestic terrorist" claim.

(Sources: WBEZ; CBS Chicago; CNN; ABC News; ABC7 Chicago; NBC Chicago; Block Club Chicago; WTTW)

The Text Messages

Charles Exum, text to colleagues, days after shooting Marimar Martinez

"I fired 5 rounds, and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys." ... "LMAO" ... "I'm up for another round of 'f--- around and find out.'"

After the shooting, Exum sent text messages to friends, family, and colleagues that were released by court order in February 2026:

"I fired 5 rounds, and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys."
-- Exum, to colleagues, days after the shooting

"LMAO"
-- Exum, sharing a news link about the shooting

"I'm up for another round of 'f--- around and find out.'"
-- Exum, October 5, 2025, the day after the shooting

When asked about the "f--- around and find out" message, Exum testified: "That means illegal actions have legal consequences."

When asked about the "5 rounds, 7 holes" message, Exum said the "MOF" in the message referred to a group nickname -- "Miserable Old F---s" -- and that his texts were a way of "relieving stress."

A responding message from a colleague read: "good shootin, lol."

Other texts included messages of support calling Exum "a legend among agents."

When news coverage noted that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the shooting, Exum texted: "Awe, I cry" and "That hurt my feeling."

(Sources: ABC News; CNN; CBS Chicago; NBC Chicago; WTTW; Chicago Tribune)

Support from Superiors

Chain of Command Praised the Shooting

From the commander on the ground to the DHS Secretary, the chain of command rallied behind Exum -- a pattern documented across multiple incidents in the federal agent conduct report.

Exum's texts documented the support he received from the chain of command:

"Everyone has been [supportive] including Chief Bovino, Chief Banks, Sec Noem and El Jefe himself ... according to Bovino."

"El Jefe" is understood to refer to President Trump.

Gregory Bovino's email (3:00 PM, October 4, 2025): Hours after the shooting, while Martinez was still in the hospital, CBP Commander Bovino emailed Exum praising his "excellent service in Chicago" and offering to "extend your retirement beyond age 57" because Exum had "much yet left to do." The email did not reference the shooting.

Institutional response: Exum was asked in testimony: "Have you been suspended by the Border Patrol?" His answer: "Never."

(Sources: CBS Chicago; CNN; NBC Chicago; WTTW; Block Club Chicago)

Evidence Tampering

Vehicle Driven 1,100 Miles Before Defense Could Inspect It

After shooting Martinez, Exum was allowed to drive the damaged vehicle from Chicago to Maine -- over 1,100 miles -- before the defense could inspect it. A CBP mechanic then "buffed" scuff marks off the vehicle.

Martinez's attorneys raised serious concerns about evidence tampering:

  • After the shooting, Exum was allowed by CBP to drive the damaged Tahoe he had been operating more than 1,100 miles from Chicago to his home duty station in Maine over three days, arriving October 10.
  • The defense was not given the opportunity to inspect the vehicle for damage before it was moved.
  • A CBP mechanic in Maine "buffed" scuff marks off the vehicle with a rag.
  • Exum initially told the FBI he did not believe any work had been done to the car. He later acknowledged a mechanic had attempted to remove the scuff marks.
  • The federal judge expressed shock and ordered the vehicle's immediate return.

(Sources: CNN; CBS Chicago; ABC News; WTTW)

The "Trophy Photo"

Martinez testified that a federal agent entered her hospital room and took a photograph of her on a cellphone while she lay recovering from her gunshot wounds. Martinez described it as a "trophy" photograph and questioned why a federal agent would need to photograph a person who had already been arrested if not to keep a record for himself.

(Source: New Republic)

Charges Against Martinez -- Dismissed

  • Martinez was charged with assaulting federal officers.
  • The government's case rested on the claim that Martinez "rammed" the CBP vehicle -- a claim Exum himself later admitted was false.
  • On November 20, 2025, federal prosecutors abruptly moved to dismiss the charges.
  • Judge Alexakis dismissed the charges with prejudice, meaning they can never be refiled.

Evidence Release -- February 2026

  • Judge Alexakis ordered the release of body camera footage, text messages, FBI reports, and other evidence in February 2026.
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Bond argued against releasing Exum's text messages, saying it would "sully" Exum's reputation.
  • The judge called the texts "clearly relevant" and said she was "unsympathetic" to the "sullying" argument.
  • The judge observed that the evidence needed to be released because it "will counter the government's public narrative of [Martinez] and her actions."

Martinez's Lawsuit -- Pending

  • Martinez is filing a federal lawsuit seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages.
  • A complaint has been filed; the government has six months to respond before a formal lawsuit is filed.
  • South Bend prosecutors are handling a separate probe into the shooting.

Martinez's Congressional Testimony

  • Martinez testified before Congress in Washington, D.C. in February 2026.
  • She stated: "I am not a domestic terrorist" and demanded "transparency and accountability."
  • She attended President Trump's State of the Union address as a guest of Illinois Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.

(Sources: CNN; CBS Chicago; ABC News; WTTW; Chicago Sun-Times; Block Club Chicago; WJBC; NBC Chicago)

Investigation and Accountability

Criminal Investigation Status

  • No criminal charges have been filed against Charles Exum.
  • South Bend prosecutors are reportedly handling a probe, but no timeline or outcome has been disclosed.
  • Exum has been placed on administrative leave by CBP, though the timing is unclear -- DHS says it is "consistent with policy," but for the first five months after the shooting, no public announcement of leave was made. Exum drove the damaged vehicle back to Maine and resumed work.

No Consequences

Despite:
- A federal judge dismissing charges against his victim with prejudice
- Text messages showing him bragging about the shooting
- Body camera footage contradicting his account
- Evidence of potential evidence tampering (vehicle driven to Maine, scuff marks removed)
- The government admitting its core narrative (the "ramming") was false
- The victim being labeled a "domestic terrorist" without evidence

Exum has faced no criminal charges, no public disciplinary action beyond administrative leave (announced only after months of scrutiny), and no consequences from the chain of command that praised him.

Assessment

Charles Exum shot a U.S. citizen five times, bragged about it, and was praised for it. The institution that employed him charged his victim, called her a domestic terrorist, let him drive the evidence home, and defended him until the case became untenable. When forced to drop the charges, the government still did not retract the "domestic terrorist" label.

The text messages are the dossier's most damning evidence because they reveal not just Exum's character but the culture he operates in. "Good shootin, lol," his colleague replied. "Legend among agents," another wrote. This is not one agent's failure. It is a system that rewards violence, punishes victims, and protects shooters.

Exum's case is directly connected to Bovino's command. Bovino praised Exum hours after the shooting. Bovino later went on to command the Minneapolis operation where two more U.S. citizens were killed -- Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The pattern is the same: shoot first, lie about it, label the victim a terrorist, obstruct the investigation. See also: victim death statistics.

Confidence Level: HIGH. Core facts verified through federal court proceedings, released evidence (body camera footage, text messages), court testimony under oath, judicial findings, and reporting from 15+ independent sources across Tier 1 and Tier 2 outlets.

Sources

Tier 1 (Primary/Legal)

Tier 2 (Reliable Journalism)

Reference

This dossier is part of the Gabinete de los Horrores (Cabinet of Horrors), documenting named officials responsible for policies and actions that have led to deaths, civil rights violations, and the construction of the deportation machine.

Published by Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Methodology: Bellingcat-standard OSINT -- public sources only