ICE Agents Open Fire on Driver in California Traffic Stop, Eighth Shooting This Year

ICE agents shot Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez during a vehicle stop in Patterson, California on Tuesday, the latest in a string of shootings by federal immigration enforcement officers under the Trump administration's expanded deportation operations.

According to ICE director Todd Lyons, agents were attempting to arrest Hernandez, whom he described as a member of the Los Angeles 18th Street gang wanted for questioning in El Salvador related to a murder. Lyons provided no evidence for these allegations, and the details of any investigation remain unclear.

Dashcam footage obtained by NBC affiliate KCRA-TV shows three ICE agents surrounding a black sedan that had been boxed in by two other vehicles with flashing police lights. As the officers reached into the vehicle with weapons drawn, the sedan reversed with its passenger door open, colliding with the car behind it. The vehicle then lurched forward toward the officers before turning left across the median and disappearing from view.

Lyons claimed Hernandez "weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over," justifying the shooting as "defensive" to protect agents and the public. The statement does not specify how many shots were fired or where Hernandez was hit.

Hernandez was hospitalized following the shooting. The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction over Patterson, declined to comment on his condition.

Eighth ICE Shooting This Year

The Patterson incident marks at least the eighth shooting by ICE agents in 2026, part of a broader pattern of violent enforcement tactics as the Trump administration pursues its campaign promise to secure the US-Mexico border through aggressive deportation operations.

The deployment of federal immigration agents across the country has sparked widespread protests and condemnation. Critics have accused ICE of excessive force in clashes with demonstrators and in arrests of undocumented immigrants.

Patterson, located in California's Central Valley about 80 miles east of San Jose, is home to many Hispanic and Latino residents and sits in the heart of a major farming region. ICE arrests in the Central Valley surged 58% between January 1 and July 31 of last year after Trump returned to office, according to the Fresno Bee.

Questions About Use of Force

The dashcam footage raises questions about ICE's characterization of the incident. While the video shows no audio and the sedan does move toward officers, the vehicle was already pinned between two ICE cars when agents approached with weapons drawn.

The FBI's Sacramento office confirmed it is investigating the shooting. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office said he had been briefed and expects "federal law enforcement partners to appropriately collaborate with state and local law enforcement as this matter is investigated."

The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office confirmed that no local law enforcement officers were involved in the shooting.

ICE's expanding use of deadly force comes as the agency operates with minimal oversight and transparency. Unlike local police departments, ICE is not required to publicly report shootings or use-of-force incidents, making it difficult to track patterns of violence or hold agents accountable.

Patterson Mayor Michael Clauzel did not respond to requests for comment.