A Los Angeles man known for livestreaming US immigration enforcement operations has been charged with assault after being shot by federal agents. Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, remained in hospital on Wednesday following the incident, in which he was struck in the elbow.
Authorities allege that Parias, who runs the TikTok profile Richard LA, attempted to ram his car into agents’ vehicles when they tried to arrest him. During the confrontation, a deputy US marshal was also injured by a ricochet bullet. Parias faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.
Parias has gained a large following for his videos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across southern California, as well as protests and car collisions. He was recently recognised by a Los Angeles city council member for his community impact and “unfiltered portrayal of real life”.
Court documents state that federal agents set up surveillance near his home on Tuesday morning as he was the subject of an administrative arrest warrant and had allegedly evaded capture before. When Parias tried to drive away, agents boxed in his car. They allege he then moved the vehicle forward and back, making contact with their cars, and spun his tyres, creating smoke. An agent broke a side window, and when Parias did not comply, another agent opened fire.
A witness said Parias appeared nervous and afraid, and that agents used rubber bullets and teargas. Video showed Parias screaming for help after being shot. The acting US attorney, Bill Essayli, said: “Vehicles are deadly weapons. Anyone who uses them against federal agents risks arrest, imprisonment and life-threatening injuries.”
Immigrant rights advocates have criticised the increasing violence of immigration enforcement tactics amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.
