ICE Agents Involved in Shooting During Traffic Stop in Central California

One person hospitalized after agents say they were forced to fire 'defensive shots' to protect themselves and the public.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:38pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car window or damaged vehicle sensor, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the stark, investigative nature of the ICE shooting incident.A harsh, gritty image captures the aftermath of the ICE shooting, exposing the escalating tensions and violence surrounding the agency's enforcement tactics.Patterson Today

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were involved in a shooting that sent one person to the hospital while they were conducting a targeted traffic stop in California's Central Valley, the agency said Tuesday. The ICE officers fired defensive shots after the person they stopped attempted to run an agent over, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Why it matters

This incident is the latest in a string of shootings involving ICE and other federal agents, raising concerns about the use of force and the agency's tactics, especially in light of previous cases where initial accounts from officials have changed or been proven inaccurate.

The details

The shooting happened near Interstate 5 in Patterson, about 90 miles south of Sacramento. The DHS statement identified the target of the vehicle stop as 'Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, an 18th Street Gang member wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection to a murder.' The agency said 'as officers approached the car, the wanted gang member weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over' and that the agents 'fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public.'

  • The shooting occurred on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the United States.

Todd Lyons

The acting director of ICE.

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez

An 18-year-old gang member wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection to a murder, who was the target of the ICE traffic stop.

Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency assisting with the investigation of the shooting incident.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The federal law enforcement agency that is also on the scene investigating the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“As officers approached the car, the wanted gang member weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over. Following their training, our officers fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director

What’s next

The FBI and Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office are continuing their investigation into the shooting incident. It is unclear if any charges will be filed against Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez.

The takeaway

This latest shooting involving ICE agents highlights the ongoing tensions and concerns around the agency's use of force, especially in light of previous incidents where initial accounts from officials have been called into question. The investigation will likely focus on whether the agents' use of force was justified in this specific case.