Man shot by ICE in California charged with assaulting federal agents
Los Angeles Times • • nation
Key Points:
- On April 7, ICE agents fired multiple shots at Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández during an immigration operation in San Joaquin Valley, with conflicting accounts about whether Hernández or the agents fired first.
- Federal prosecutors allege Hernández weaponized his vehicle to attack officers, leading to defensive gunfire, while Hernández’s attorney and eyewitnesses claim officers fired first, causing Hernández to panic and try to flee.
- A federal grand jury indicted Hernández on two counts of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon and one count of destruction of government property; he faces up to 20 years per assault count and 10 years for destruction if convicted.
- Video footage shows the vehicle reversing and striking a truck, then moving forward narrowly missing officers who then opened fire; Hernández was hospitalized for six days before release.
- Hernández’s attorney denies claims that he is a gang member or involved in a murder, disputing ICE’s allegations; Hernández is set to be arraigned on the federal charges soon.
