MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — An attorney for Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, who was shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during an arrest in California, asserts that his client was not trying to run over the officers with his vehicle. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Patterson, where DHS officials claimed that agents fired shots defensively when Mendoza allegedly attempted to drive toward them. The 36-year-old is described as a suspected gang member in El Salvador, but attorney Patrick Kolasinski argues there is no evidence linking him to gang activities, emphasizing that Mendoza was acquitted of murder in his home country.
Kolasinski stated at a news conference that his client has never been charged with any crimes in the U.S. and affirmed that allegations of an outstanding warrant in El Salvador are either erroneous or fabricated. According to a court document from 2019, Mendoza was acquitted of murder charges and ordered to be released, contradicting claims of any gang affiliation.
Mendoza's fiancée expressed concern for his well-being post-shooting, describing him as a hardworking father who recently faced a minor traffic violation. Dashcam footage of the incident shows confusion during the arrest, but it is unclear when the shots were fired. Kolasinski voiced concerns about the actions of the ICE agents during the encounter, stating that their tactics could potentially endanger lives, while the FBI leads the investigation.
Mendoza, a dual citizen, came to the U.S. in 2019 and was noted to have a young daughter and a fiancée who is a U.S. citizen. The circumstances surrounding his current legal status are yet to be clarified, raising alarm about the treatment of individuals caught in the ongoing immigration enforcement measures.
Kolasinski stated at a news conference that his client has never been charged with any crimes in the U.S. and affirmed that allegations of an outstanding warrant in El Salvador are either erroneous or fabricated. According to a court document from 2019, Mendoza was acquitted of murder charges and ordered to be released, contradicting claims of any gang affiliation.
Mendoza's fiancée expressed concern for his well-being post-shooting, describing him as a hardworking father who recently faced a minor traffic violation. Dashcam footage of the incident shows confusion during the arrest, but it is unclear when the shots were fired. Kolasinski voiced concerns about the actions of the ICE agents during the encounter, stating that their tactics could potentially endanger lives, while the FBI leads the investigation.
Mendoza, a dual citizen, came to the U.S. in 2019 and was noted to have a young daughter and a fiancée who is a U.S. citizen. The circumstances surrounding his current legal status are yet to be clarified, raising alarm about the treatment of individuals caught in the ongoing immigration enforcement measures.
