A 36-year-old man who was shot multiple times during an arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is set to appear in court in Sacramento, facing charges of assaulting a federal officer with his vehicle.
Federal prosecutors allege that Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez drove his car into an agent and then reversed into a law enforcement vehicle during a stop on April 7 in Patterson. Authorities say officers opened fire in self-defense after he attempted to drive toward them.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that agents were conducting an enforcement operation targeting Mendoza, who they described as a suspected gang member wanted for questioning in El Salvador in connection with a killing.
However, Mendoza's lawyer disputes those claims, arguing that his client panicked when officers blocked his vehicle and tried to flee. He also denied that Mendoza had any active arrest warrant, stating that he had previously been acquitted of murder charges in El Salvador.
Video footage of the incident shows officers surrounding a stopped vehicle before it reverses into another car and then drives forward toward the agents. It remains unclear from the footage when the shots were fired or what commands were given.
Mendoza, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, has undergone several surgeries and is still recovering. According to his attorney, he has difficulty speaking due to a jaw injury but maintains that he has no gang affiliations and no criminal record in the United States.
The case comes amid increased scrutiny of immigration enforcement operations under the administration of Donald Trump, with several recent incidents raising questions about the use of force by federal agents.
Mendoza remains hospitalized but is expected to face legal proceedings as authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
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