ICE Agents Shoot Man After Alleged Attempt to Run Them Over

Suspect wanted for murder in El Salvador was targeted in Northern California operation

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:51pm

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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, conceptually illustrating the violent encounter between ICE agents and a suspect.The aftermath of a confrontation between ICE agents and a suspect wanted for murder exposes the harsh realities of immigration enforcement tactics.Patterson Today

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Northern California shot and wounded a man wanted for murder in El Salvador after he allegedly tried to use his vehicle to run over an officer during an attempted arrest. The suspect, identified as Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, was taken to a hospital, and the FBI is investigating the incident.

Why it matters

This shooting is the latest in a series of incidents where ICE agents have claimed suspects have used their vehicles as weapons, a justification that has been scrutinized in the past. The agency's use of force and tactics in apprehending undocumented immigrants continues to be a controversial and heavily debated issue.

The details

According to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, agents conducted a vehicle stop in Patterson, California to arrest Mendoza Hernandez, who they allege is a member of the 18th Street gang. Lyons claims that as officers approached the car, Mendoza Hernandez 'weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over,' prompting the agents to fire 'defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents and the public.'

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

The players

Todd Lyons

Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez

A man wanted for murder in El Salvador who was the target of the ICE operation and was shot and wounded by agents.

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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 Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

What’s next

The FBI is investigating the shooting incident, and the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office is assisting with the case. The on- and off-ramps on the 5 Freeway at Sperry Avenue were closed and are expected to remain so for the rest of the day.

The takeaway

This shooting highlights the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding ICE's tactics and use of force when apprehending undocumented immigrants, especially when suspects are alleged to use their vehicles as weapons. The agency's justifications for such actions have been scrutinized in the past, and this incident is likely to further fuel the debate over immigration enforcement practices.