Patterson, CA – The shooting of Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, a 36-year-old California resident, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents has ignited a firestorm of criticism, raising serious concerns about excessive force, the potential for racial profiling, and the devastating impact of ICE’s tactics on immigrant communities. Hernandez alleges he was shot without justification and falsely accused of gang membership following a traffic stop in Patterson, California.

Patrick Kolasinski, Hernandez's attorney, revealed that his client sustained more than six gunshot wounds, including one to the face, requiring multiple surgeries. Hernandez, currently in intensive care, vehemently denies ICE’s claims of gang affiliation and involvement in a murder in El Salvador. This incident arrives during a time when ICE is facing increasing pressure due to their actions on the southern border.

ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, asserted that Hernandez “weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over,” justifying the agents' use of force. However, Kolasinski disputes this account, stating that Hernandez was fired upon before moving the vehicle and was attempting to flee in a panic.

Dashcam footage of the incident offers a fragmented view, showing ICE agents surrounding Hernandez’s car before the vehicle moves. The lack of audio and obscured view of the shooting raises questions about the full context of the encounter and the justification for the use of deadly force.

Kolasinski highlights the discrepancy between ICE’s narrative and his client’s account, emphasizing the need for a thorough and impartial investigation. He also points to the devastating consequences of ICE’s actions on Hernandez's life, including his physical injuries, emotional trauma, and separation from his family.

ICE's claim that Hernandez is a member of the “18th Street Gang” and wanted for questioning in connection to a murder in El Salvador further fuels concerns about racial profiling and the potential for false accusations. Kolasinski revealed that Hernandez was acquitted of murder charges in El Salvador in 2019. The timing of this revelation raises questions on ICE's motives.

The incident underscores the broader concerns about the militarization of immigration enforcement and the lack of accountability for ICE agents. The use of force against unarmed individuals, coupled with allegations of false gang affiliation, raises alarms about potential civil rights violations and the erosion of due process.