• ICE shooting breaks out during California operation
  • Driver attempts to flee
  • Federal investigation underway

A driver was injured this Tuesday after being shot by agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a traffic stop in California, in an incident now central to the ICE shooting California case.

The incident occurred while authorities were searching for an alleged member of a Salvadoran gang in the Central Valley.

Why it matters: The case adds to growing scrutiny over the use of force by immigration agents in recent operations, particularly in situations like the ICE shooting California incident.

According to ICE, agents “fired defensive shots” during the encounter, as reported by EFE.

ICE shoots in California during operation

The agency’s acting director, Todd Lyons, explained that the driver attempted to run over an agent.

The event took place near Interstate 5, in the city of Patterson.

This locality is located about 144 kilometers south of Sacramento.

A video released by the television station KCRA shows part of the moment.

In the footage, three agents can be seen near a vehicle.

The car reverses and then attempts to flee, striking one of them.

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It is at that moment that one of the agents fires at the driver, a key moment in the ICE shooting California case.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) backed the action.

It stated that the shots were fired to protect agents and the public.

Target of the operation identified

Authorities identified the target as Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández.

He was described as an alleged member of the Calle 18 gang.

According to ICE, he is wanted in El Salvador in connection with a homicide.

The driver was injured during the shooting.

He was later transported to a hospital.

So far, no information has been released about his condition.

No further details have been provided regarding his medical status.

Investigation underway

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it did not participate in the operation.

However, it stated that it is cooperating in the investigation of the incident.

The FBI office in Sacramento is also investigating the case.

Authorities have not provided further updates on the progress of the investigation.

The incident occurs amid heightened public attention.

Immigration agents have faced criticism over the use of force in recent operations, including the ICE shooting California case.

Last January, agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minnesota.

That incident also drew criticism and increased scrutiny of ICE’s actions.

  • What’s next: Investigations are expected to determine the exact circumstances of the shooting and whether the use of force by agents was justified in the ICE California shooting case.