By EFE
An immigrant shot last Tuesday by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Alter Service He claimed that he was shot before moving his vehicle, which was intercepted on a California highway, his lawyer stated this Thursday.
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez He was injured near Interstate 5 in the town of Patterson, about 90 miles (144 kilometers) south of Sacramento, California’s capital.
About the incident, Todd Lyonsthe acting director of ICE, said that immigration officials “defensive shots were fired” after Mendoza Hernández allegedly tried to run over one of them when he was trying to flee.
“On April 7, 2026, ICE officers had been conducting a centered automobile dwell in Patterson, CA to arrest Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, an 18th Motorway Gang member wished in El Salvador for questioning in connection to a slay. As officers approached the car, the wished gang member… https://t.co/JbkIuQAba5
— US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) April 7, 2026
Patrick Kolasinski, lawyer for Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández, said in a press conference that the man fled because he feared for his life.
“He was very clear on this point: that He backed up (his vehicle) because he was trying to flee, since they were shooting at him“said the lawyer, who was concerned about the health of the immigrant, who has undergone several surgeries.
Mendoza Hernández was on his way to work when was intercepted by ICE agents on the highway.
DHS warned that its officials They fired defensive shots “to protect themselves” themselves, their fellow officers and the public.
Lyons also stated that The immigrant was a member of the Calle 18 gang wanted in El Salvador in connection with a murder. But Kolasinski also disputed those accusations against his client on Thursday.
The immigrant’s lawyer denied that his client was a member of any gang and showed documents that had acquitted him of an accusation he faced in El Salvador, according to information from The Modesto Focal Level.
In addition, described the immigrant as a hard-working man and loving with his family.
Immigration authorities have been under public scrutiny after agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens last January amid aggressive operations in Minnesota.
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