Immigrant shot by ICE in California claims he was shot before moving the car
Key Takeaways
- Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández, a Salvadoran man, was shot by ICE during a targeted vehicle stop in Patterson, CA; his attorney says he was shot before attempting to move the car.
- ICE says officers fired “defensive” shots after Mendoza Hernández allegedly attempted to run over an agent; ICE and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) have publicly defended the action.
- Mendoza Hernández’s lawyer disputes claims that he is a gang member and says he was acquitted of a charge in El Salvador; the man has been treated with multiple surgeries.
- The shooting comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) use of force following earlier fatal shootings; outcomes could affect removal proceedings and medical custody issues.
What happened
Authorities say ICE officers conducted a targeted vehicle stop — a planned arrest tactic — on April 7 near Interstate 5 in Patterson, California, to arrest Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández. Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, said officers “effected defensive gunfire” after Mendoza Hernández allegedly tried to run over an agent. It has been reported that Mendoza Hernández was wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection with a murder. Mendoza Hernández’s lawyer, Patrick Kolasinski, countered at a press conference that his client was heading to work when agents intercepted him and that he was shot before he moved the vehicle; the lawyer said the client fled because he feared for his life and has since undergone multiple surgeries.
Claims, counterclaims and human impact
The two accounts conflict sharply. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security framed the shooting as necessary to protect officers and the public; the agency also posted a summary of the operation on social media. Kolasinski has disputed ICE’s characterization, denied that Mendoza Hernández is a gang member, and presented documents that reportedly show an earlier acquittal in El Salvador. For the individual and his family, the immediate concerns are medical care, custody conditions while recuperating, and how the incident will affect any pending immigration or extradition actions. Allegations of gang affiliation often trigger prioritized enforcement and can complicate removal defense — but such claims are often contested in immigration and criminal proceedings.
Context and what this means now
ICE and DHS shootings have faced increased public and legal scrutiny since agents killed two U.S. citizens during enforcement operations in Minnesota earlier this year. For people in the immigration system, the episode underscores two realities: enforcement operations can happen during routine travel (including commutes to work), and allegations made by immigration authorities — such as gang ties or foreign criminal warrants — can have immediate enforcement consequences even while disputed. Anyone who is stopped by immigration agents or faces allegations should seek counsel promptly; attorneys can challenge factual claims, address medical and custody concerns, and begin preparing a defense for removal or criminal matters. It has been reported that investigations typically follow such shootings, and outcomes can affect both criminal exposure and immigration case strategy.
Source: Original Article