ICE Shooting in California: Attorney Challenges Official Account
An attorney representing a man shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during an arrest in central California has publicly disputed the official narrative, asserting that his client did not attempt to run over officers with his car and denying claims of an outstanding arrest warrant in El Salvador. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Patterson, a city approximately 75 miles southeast of San Francisco, during what the Department of Homeland Security described as an enforcement stop targeting Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, aged 36.
Conflicting Statements from DHS and Legal Representation
The Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE agents fired defensive shots after Mendoza allegedly tried to drive into them, characterizing him as a suspected gang member wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection to a murder. However, attorney Patrick Kolasinski, who is representing Mendoza and his family, held a news conference on Wednesday to counter these claims. Kolasinski emphasized that his client has been stopped for minor traffic infractions but possesses no criminal record in the United States and is not subject to an arrest warrant in El Salvador, where he was previously acquitted of murder.
"If he was released after being acquitted, with no other holds on him, he cannot have a warrant," Kolasinski declared. "So that information must be either erroneous or completely made up. And only DHS knows what they’re looking at." He added that he has found no evidence linking Mendoza to any street gang, though he has not yet had the opportunity to confirm this directly with his client.
Family Concerns and Immigration Policy Context
Mendoza's fiancée, Cindy, who withheld her last name due to safety concerns amid the case's attention, described him as "a good guy" and "a hardworking person." She expressed that the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown is adversely affecting families. Cindy noted in Spanish that Mendoza was recently stopped for a cracked windshield in another town, highlighting routine interactions with law enforcement.
This shooting is part of a series of incidents under the Trump administration's push to detain and deport illegal immigrants, where accounts from federal immigration officials have faced scrutiny. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the attorney's statements.
Dashcam Footage and Investigation Details
Dashcam footage obtained by KCRA-TV shows three officers surrounding a vehicle stopped on the side of a road. One officer appears to touch the driver-side window before the car reverses and turns, colliding with a vehicle behind it. At least two agents are seen with weapons drawn, pointing at the car. The driver then moves forward toward where the men are standing, turns sharply, and drives over the roadway median. The video lacks sound, making it unclear when shots were fired or if any words were exchanged.
Kolasinski interpreted his client's actions, stating, "He is doing everything he can to not run them over," and suggested Mendoza panicked and attempted to flee. He criticized the officers' conduct, arguing that opening the car door during the escape attempt endangered everyone. "That may well be ICE training, but if it is it’s horrible training," he remarked.
Current Status and Broader Implications
Mendoza's family and attorney have not been permitted to see him since his hospitalization, and his condition remained unknown as of Wednesday, though a social worker indicated he is stable. Kolasinski mentioned that Mendoza arrived in the U.S. in 2019, but his legal status and method of entry are unclear, details he hopes to clarify upon speaking with his client. Federal officials have not specified whether Mendoza has been arrested for a crime or is being held as a shooting victim.
Kolasinski shared that Mendoza works as a laborer repairing fire damage, has a two-year-old daughter, and is engaged to a U.S. citizen. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office confirmed no involvement in the incident, with the FBI leading the investigation. This case underscores ongoing tensions and questions surrounding immigration enforcement practices in the United States.
