MODESTO, CA — New details are emerging in the shocking shooting of a 36-year-old man by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Northern California earlier this week. While federal officials claim agents acted in self-defense, the victim’s legal team is presenting a starkly different—and harrowing—account of the events that left a man fighting for his life.
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez remains hospitalized in Modesto after being struck more than half a dozen times during what he believed was a routine traffic stop on Tuesday morning.
The Victim’s Account: “The Situation Spiraled”
Following a hospital visit on Thursday, attorney Patrick Kolasinski shared Mendoza Hernandez’s first-hand account. According to the lawyer, Mendoza Hernandez was on his way to work when he was pulled over. He reportedly handed over his driver’s license and only then realized he was being confronted by ICE personnel.
Kolasinski claims that when officers told Mendoza Hernandez he was being taken into custody, the 36-year-old simply asked to call his wife.
“He was simply saying he wanted to call his wife, and somebody shot him,” Kolasinski stated during a virtual media call.
The attorney insists that his client did not “weaponize” his vehicle until after shots were fired. Mendoza Hernandez claims he backed up his car out of pure terror, attempting to flee because he believed he was going to be killed.
Medical Update: A Long Road to Recovery
The injuries sustained by Mendoza Hernandez are described as catastrophic. He has already undergone at least three major surgeries to repair wounds across his body, including a visible gunshot wound to his face.
While he is expected to be moved out of intensive care soon, Kolasinski noted that it remains unclear exactly how many bullets struck him due to the internal damage caused by the projectiles. Mendoza Hernandez, a dual citizen of El Salvador and Mexico who lacks legal immigration status, is currently not under arrest or being detained as a suspect, according to his council.
The Video Evidence
Dashcam footage from a witness has added another layer of complexity to the investigation. The silent video shows:
- Three officers surrounding a stopped car.
- One officer touching the driver-side window.
- The car backing up and hitting a vehicle parked behind it.
- An officer drawing a weapon and firing as the car moves.
- The driver pulling forward and crossing a roadway median to escape.
Because the video lacks audio, the exact moment the first shot was fired remains the central point of the dispute.
ICE Maintains “Self-Defense” Narrative
ICE Director Todd Lyons stands by the agency’s original statement, asserting that Mendoza Hernandez attempted to run over an officer. Lyons stated that the officers “followed their training” and fired defensive shots to protect themselves and the public.
Furthermore, ICE claims the stop was a targeted operation because Mendoza Hernandez is an alleged “18th Street Gang member” wanted in El Salvador for questioning in a murder case.
Conflicting Records from El Salvador
Kolasinski and Mendoza Hernandez’s fiancée, Cindy, have vehemently denied any gang involvement. The legal team produced court documents from El Salvador showing that Mendoza Hernandez was actually acquitted of murder charges in October 2019. The documents notably make no mention of gang affiliation.
As of Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not commented on the acquittal documents or the specific allegations that agents opened fire first.
Community Voice: This incident has sparked intense debate over ICE’s tactics and the use of force in Northern California.
What is your take on this situation? Does the dashcam footage change your perspective on the “self-defense” claim? Should ICE protocols be reviewed after such high-stakes confrontations?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation respectful.
