Man Shot by ICE Agents During Arrest

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, a 36-year-old man who was shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a traffic stop in California, has been arrested by the FBI and charged with assaulting a federal officer.

The arrest took place on April 13, 2026, immediately following Hernandez’s release from the hospital. He is facing charges related to the use of his vehicle to assault an officer during the encounter that occurred the previous week.

The April 7 Shooting

The incident occurred on April 7, 2026, in Patterson, a rural town in California’s central valley located near Interstate 5. Hernandez was pulled over by ICE agents while traveling to a job rehabilitating buildings damaged by fires.

According to his attorney, Patrick Kolasinski, Hernandez was hit by more than six bullets, including shots to the face. Following the shooting, Hernandez was hospitalized before being taken into custody by federal agents.

Conflicting Accounts of the Encounter

Federal authorities and the defense have provided contradictory narratives regarding the events leading to the gunfire. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that officers fired defensive shots after Hernandez attempted to run over an agent.

Dashcam footage from a witness in a nearby vehicle shows Hernandez reversing his car away from the officers while two agents pointed firearms at him. The footage further shows the vehicle driving forward and jumping over a median.

Attorney Patrick Kolasinski disputed the government’s version of events, asserting that his client fled because he had already been shot at and feared for his life.

Disputed Allegations

The case has been marked by disputes over the identity and background of the suspect. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially alleged that Hernandez was a gang member wanted in El Salvador in connection with a murder.

Kolasinski has strongly denied these claims, suggesting the situation may have been a case of mistaken identity. Notably, the U.S. Department of Justice did not include the murder or gang allegations in the formal complaint or the press release issued on April 14, 2026.

Legal Proceedings

Following his arrest on April 13, 2026, Hernandez was initially transported to the Sacramento County jail. He was later transferred to the Stanislaus County jail to await charges.

A detention hearing for Hernandez was scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, April 14, 2026.