California Man Shot by ICE Agents Disputes Gang Member Accusations
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, a 36-year-old California resident, has asserted that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials falsely labelled him as a gang member and fired upon him without justification during a traffic stop. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Patterson, a rural agricultural town in California's central valley, where Hernandez was pulled over and shot by ICE officers.
Details of the Shooting and Legal Response
Patrick Kolasinski, Hernandez's attorney, visited his client in the hospital on Thursday morning and reported that Hernandez was struck by more than six bullets, including one to his face, necessitating three surgeries. Kolasinski stated that Hernandez is currently in the intensive care unit and unable to speak clearly due to his extensive injuries. The lawyer emphasised that Hernandez was "very adamant ... he was fired on before he moved the vehicle", contradicting ICE's account.
Dashcam footage from the encounter shows three ICE agents outside Hernandez's car. The grainy, silent video captures Hernandez reversing with his passenger door open as two officers point firearms at him, before the car drives forward and jumps over a median out of view. It remains unclear from the video precisely when shots were fired.
ICE's Statements and Contradictions
Todd Lyons, ICE's acting director, released a statement claiming Hernandez "weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over" and that officers "fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public". However, no officers were hit by the car. Kolasinski argued that the car's movements were a panic response to gunfire, saying, "He was trying to get away because he was being shot at ... he fled in a panic."
ICE also alleged Hernandez was part of the "18th Street Gang" and "wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection to a murder", but provided no evidence. Kolasinski refuted these claims, noting Hernandez has only visited Los Angeles briefly and was acquitted of murder charges in El Salvador in 2019. The lawyer expressed confusion over the gang allegation, stating, "We have no clue where the heck that comes from."
Broader Context and Criticisms of ICE
This incident adds to growing scrutiny of ICE's practices. The agency has faced backlash for similar shootings where drivers were accused of "weaponizing" vehicles, such as in the January killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, where footage contradicted official statements. ICE has also been criticised for labelling individuals as gang members without substantiation, as seen in a January Oregon case where DHS claims were later disputed by the Department of Justice.
Kolasinski criticised ICE's training, highlighting that police departments across the U.S. advise against firing at moving vehicles due to safety risks. He remarked, "ICE's horrible training is putting everyone in danger, including themselves."
Personal Impact and Family Details
Hernandez, described by his attorney as a "loving, hardworking partner", has a two-year-old daughter with his partner and works rehabilitating buildings damaged by fires. He was en route to a job when stopped. Kolasinski shared the emotional toll on the family, noting the daughter's confusion over her father's absence: "It's devastating. Her dad always puts her to bed. She just kept staring at the door, waiting for dad to come home."
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson declined to comment on the stop or the lawyer's claims, while the U.S. attorney's office also refrained from commenting. Kolasinski confirmed that Department of Justice representatives indicated Hernandez is not in federal custody or under arrest.
