In Patterson, California, federal agents shot Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, a suspected member of the 18th Street Gang, on Tuesday after he allegedly attempted to run over an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer with his vehicle.
Mendoza Hernandez, wanted in El Salvador in connection with a murder investigation, was flagged by the National Targeting Center, according to a senior federal law enforcement source.
The Incident and Response
The shooting occurred when ICE agents conducted a targeted vehicle stop to arrest Mendoza Hernandez. As agents approached his car, authorities say he tried to use his vehicle as a weapon, attempting to run over one of the officers.
In response, the agents fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow officers, and the public, ICE Director Todd Lyons told Fox News.
Mendoza Hernandez was subsequently taken to a local hospital, but the extent of his injuries and current condition have not been disclosed.
FBI and Local Authorities Involved in the Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento field office has taken charge of the investigation into the shooting, noting that it involved both ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
“We are conducting a thorough investigation,” said the FBI Sacramento office in a statement, while also expressing appreciation for the Patterson community’s continued patience and support.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the investigation, and it was noted that local law enforcement were not involved in the incident.
A Month After the Fatal Shooting of Renee Nicole Good
This incident comes just months after a controversial shooting in Minneapolis, where ICE agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on January 7, 2026. Good was allegedly trying to ram federal agents with her car during an anti-ICE protest, leading to widespread protests and calls for accountability.
About Patterson, California
Patterson is a rural city about 70 miles southeast of San Francisco, situated along Interstate 5. Known for its farming of almonds, apricots, and other crops, the city is a quiet agricultural hub in the state of California.
