Man Shot by ICE Agents Arrested by FBI After Hospital Release

Attorney says client was in no condition to be discharged from hospital.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:03pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bullet casing against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the violence and tension surrounding federal immigration enforcement.A stark, gritty close-up of a bullet casing symbolizes the escalating tensions and violence surrounding federal immigration enforcement actions.Patterson Today

A man shot multiple times by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during an enforcement stop in central California last week was arrested by the FBI on Monday after being discharged from the hospital, according to his attorney. The attorney said the client, Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, underwent three surgeries for his injuries and was in no condition to be released from the hospital.

Why it matters

This incident is the latest in a string of shootings during the Trump administration's aggressive push to detain and deport immigrants in the country illegally, which has raised questions about the use of force by federal immigration officials.

The details

ICE agents said they were conducting an enforcement stop targeting Mendoza, 36, in Patterson, California, and described him as a suspected gang member wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection with a murder. However, Mendoza's attorney said his client has no criminal record in the U.S. and was acquitted of murder in El Salvador. The attorney said Mendoza was having difficulty speaking because he was shot in the jaw, but insisted he was never a member of a gang.

  • On April 5, 2026, ICE agents shot Mendoza during an enforcement stop in Patterson, California.
  • On April 11, 2026, Mendoza was discharged from the hospital into FBI custody.

The players

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez

A 36-year-old man who was shot multiple times by ICE agents during an enforcement stop in central California. His attorney says he has no criminal record in the U.S. and was acquitted of murder in El Salvador.

Patrick Kolasinski

The attorney representing Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that conducted the enforcement stop targeting Mendoza, which resulted in him being shot.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The federal agency that arrested Mendoza after he was discharged from the hospital.

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What they’re saying

“We're in shock. He should not be out of that hospital. He was in no condition to be released.”

— Patrick Kolasinski, Attorney

“He was having difficulty speaking because he was shot in the jaw, but he insisted he was never a member of a gang.”

— Patrick Kolasinski, Attorney

What’s next

Federal authorities have not said why Mendoza was the target of the ICE enforcement action, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not responded to inquiries about the attorney's statements. The FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office have also not provided information about the charges Mendoza might face.

The takeaway

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the use of force by federal immigration officials, particularly during the Trump administration's aggressive push to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. The case also raises questions about the legal status and background of Mendoza, who appears to have been acquitted of murder in El Salvador but was still targeted by ICE.