Attorney Claims ICE Shooting Victim Was Wrongly Accused of Gang Ties

Lawyer says client has no criminal record and was acquitted of murder in El Salvador

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a small, metallic object against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing physical evidence from the ICE shooting and the need for transparency and accountability.A stark, gritty close-up of physical evidence from the ICE shooting in Patterson raises questions about the accuracy of the information used to justify the use of force.Patterson Today

The attorney of a man shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Patterson, California, is claiming that his client was wrongly accused of being an 18th Street gang member. The lawyer says he has obtained a document from the Salvadoran government showing his client was acquitted of a murder charge in 2019, and that the client has no criminal record in the U.S. except for a traffic ticket.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about the accuracy of ICE's information and tactics when attempting to make arrests, as well as concerns about transparency and access to detainees following such incidents.

The details

According to ICE Director Todd Lyons, federal officers were attempting to arrest Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, whom they claimed was an 18th Street gang member, when he 'weaponized his vehicle' and allegedly tried to run over an officer. However, Mendoza Hernandez's attorney, Patrick Kolasinski, says he has obtained a document from the Salvadoran government proving his client was acquitted of a murder charge in 2019. Kolasinski also says Mendoza Hernandez's family in El Salvador claims he was never in a gang, and that he has no criminal record in the U.S. beyond a traffic ticket.

  • The shooting occurred on Tuesday near the I-5 in Patterson, California.
  • On Wednesday, Mendoza Hernandez's attorney held a press conference to make his claims.

The players

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez

The man who was shot by ICE officers in Patterson, California. His attorney claims he was wrongly accused of gang ties and has no criminal record.

Patrick Kolasinski

The attorney representing Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, who is claiming his client was acquitted of a murder charge in El Salvador and has no criminal record in the U.S.

Todd Lyons

The ICE Director who claimed federal officers were attempting to arrest Mendoza Hernandez, whom they believed was an 18th Street gang member.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I have obtained a document from the government of El Salvador that I claim proves Mendoza Hernandez was once arrested and accused of murder but was acquitted.”

— Patrick Kolasinski, Attorney

“Mendoza Hernandez's family in El Salvador says he was never in a gang. The attorney also said his client has no criminal record in the United States except for a traffic ticket.”

— Patrick Kolasinski, Attorney

What’s next

ABC News has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment on the attorney's claims, and is working to independently verify the authenticity of the document from El Salvador.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability around ICE operations, as well as the importance of verifying information used to justify arrests and use of force against individuals. The attorney's claims raise serious questions about the accuracy of the information ICE relied on in this case.