Miramar Martinez

Correct.

I come from a beautiful family full of immigrants.

I am proud of my roots.

I am born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where I learned the values of resilience, community, respect, love, and hope.

Those lessons have shaped me since childhood and continue to guide me through my adult life.

On October 4th, 2025, those values were tested when my life was nearly taken by my own government.

Seemed like time stopped.

I knew from watching the news coverage of other Border Patrol encounters in Chicago that I was in danger.

I watched the vehicle...

of agent border patrol agent killing Silverio Villegas Gonzalez just three weeks prior.

I knew I had to get to safety before I was dragged from my car and likely beaten or killed.

I drove forward and went around the Border Patrol agents who jumped out of his car and pointed his gun at me.

I moved to the far left lane, striking the curb on the far left side of Ketse.

The next thing I knew, I felt a burning sensation in my arms, legs, and that I had been shot by pepper balls, which I also seen these agents fire at people in our community.

As I continue to drive past the border patrol agents, I could hear my back passenger window shattered, and I felt bullets continue to pierce my body.

As I attempted to drive to a safe location, I began to feel lightheaded.

I looked down and I noticed blood gushing out of my arms and legs, and I realized I've been shot multiple times.

As I became lightheaded, I became worried I will pass out and endanger other drivers on the road.

I managed to drive a mile from where the incident happened and I pulled into a parking lot of a mechanic shop and I called 911.

I told the 911 operator that border patrol agents had just shot me and I needed help.