Fate of Man Shot by ICE Agents in California Remains Unclear

Attorney says client was released from hospital but his location is unknown after arrest.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:53am

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A man shot by federal immigration agents in California's Stanislaus County last week has been released from the hospital and taken into custody, but his attorney says he does not know where his client is or what condition he is in. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez was discharged from Doctors Medical Center in Modesto after undergoing multiple surgeries, but his lawyer says a federal agent told him Hernandez was arrested following his release, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of force by federal immigration authorities and the treatment of individuals in their custody. Hernandez's attorney has disputed the government's account of the incident, raising questions about the circumstances that led to the shooting.

The details

Hernandez was hospitalized in critical condition following the shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents along Interstate 5 in Patterson on April 7. Federal officials say agents opened fire in self-defense after Hernandez allegedly attempted to drive his vehicle toward them. However, Hernandez's attorney has disputed this, pointing to court records from El Salvador that show Hernandez was previously acquitted of a homicide charge.

  • Hernandez was shot by ICE agents on April 7, 2026.
  • Hernandez was released from the hospital on an unspecified date prior to April 14, 2026.

The players

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez

A man who was shot by federal immigration agents in California's Stanislaus County and later released from the hospital, but whose current location is unknown.

Patrick Kolasinski

The attorney representing Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez.

Doctors Medical Center

The hospital in Modesto, California where Hernandez was treated for his injuries.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency whose agents were involved in the shooting incident with Hernandez.

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What they’re saying

“I was initially told by a federal agent that Hernandez was being transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail. However, I now say I have been unable to locate Hernandez.”

— Patrick Kolasinski, Attorney

What’s next

The U.S. Attorney's Office has said it will issue a press release on Tuesday regarding the case, which remains under investigation.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of force by federal immigration authorities and the treatment of individuals in their custody. The conflicting accounts and lack of clarity around Hernandez's current status raise questions about transparency and accountability in these types of incidents.