Tiago Sousa‑Martins, 30, was shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during an enforcement operation in Glen Burnie on Dec. 24, 2025, and his family says he has struggled to receive basic follow‑up care while in federal custody. After being treated at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for multiple gunshot wounds, he was transferred to federal pre‑trial detention. His lawyers and advocates say missed medical appointments and inconsistent access to prescribed medication have left him weak and fearful about lasting damage.
Shooting and conflicting accounts
Court filings and local reporting state that ICE officers first spotted Sousa‑Martins’ work van near a Lowe’s Home Improvement store, then trailed it to the 500 block of West Court. Agents say the driver rammed federal vehicles and then drove toward officers, who opened fire in response. Anne Arundel County police say they are handling the shooting investigation, while the FBI is examining an alleged assault on ICE personnel, according to WBAL‑TV.
Family flags medical care
“He couldn't breathe,” Sousa‑Martins’ partner said, describing how the shooting and subsequent detention had shaken him and their two young children. Alice Barrett, managing attorney at CASA, told reporters that Sousa‑Martins allegedly went days without proper medication or bandage changes, and that trauma surgeons had recommended a follow‑up visit within two weeks that did not happen, according to NBC4 Washington.
Charges and investigations
Federal court records show Sousa‑Martins is charged with misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and destruction of government property, offenses that can carry sentences of up to one year in custody, according to CBS Baltimore. Local coverage reports that Anne Arundel County police are leading the investigation into the gunfire, the FBI is looking into the alleged assault on ICE officers, and ICE has opened its own internal review.
Detention and follow‑up
According to his legal team, Sousa‑Martins was moved between ICE and U.S. Marshals facilities after his initial hospital stay. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services describes the Chesapeake Detention Facility as a federal pre‑trial center that operates under an agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service and relies on a contracted medical provider for on-site care. Family members and attorneys say they were told Sousa‑Martins will return to Shock Trauma for a follow‑up appointment, and that this update came only after questions from reporters and sustained pressure from advocates.
Broader pattern and oversight
Advocates argue that Sousa‑Martins’ case reflects a broader national pattern of use‑of‑force incidents and medical care complaints tied to ramped‑up immigration enforcement. National reporting has detailed multiple shootings by Department of Homeland Security officers since last fall, a rise in deaths in ICE custody, and gaps between agency statements and local police timelines in several cases, according to The Washington Post.
For now, Sousa‑Martins’ attorneys say they are focused on making sure he receives the follow‑up care that doctors ordered and on pushing for answers from investigators. The case remains under review by local and federal authorities.
