Were federal immigration officers justified in shooting Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández?
Federal immigration officers shot Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández during a Patterson vehicle stop. The government says he drove at agents; his attorney says they fired first. Dashcam footage does not resolve the timing.
BackgroundWhen can federal immigration agents use deadly force?
Claim in dispute
Mendoza Hernández struck an agent, reversed into a government vehicle and then accelerated toward two agents, creating an immediate threat of serious injury or death.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
This case classifies responses to the federal officers' decision to fire at Mendoza Hernández on April 7, 2026. The legality of the attempted immigration arrest, the separate allegation that he damaged a government vehicle and the dispute over his alleged gang history do not by themselves resolve whether the gunfire was justified.
The FBI probable-cause affidavit (opens in a new tab) says the team consisted of three ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers and one Customs and Border Protection officer. It alleges that Mendoza Hernández first moved forward about one foot and struck an agent, reversed rapidly into a government Ford F-150 and then accelerated toward two agents. The affidavit says an agent moved out of the path and that officers fired in response to an immediate risk of serious injury or death. It is based on two agents' interviews and two publicly posted dashcam videos. It states allegations supporting probable cause, not findings after trial.
Attorney Patrick Kolasinski gave the Associated Press (opens in a new tab) the opposing account. He said agents fired while the car was stopped and that Mendoza Hernández drove away because he feared being killed, not because he intended to hit anyone. The same report says a 2019 Salvadoran court document recorded Mendoza Hernández's acquittal on a murder accusation and did not identify him as a gang member.
Public dashcam footage described by the Associated Press (opens in a new tab) shows the vehicle backing and turning into a vehicle behind it, then pulling forward near officers and crossing the median. The footage has no audio. It does not establish when officers fired or what commands were given.
The Justice Department (opens in a new tab) announced on May 1, 2026 that a grand jury indicted Mendoza Hernández on two counts of assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon and one count of destruction of government property. The charges remained allegations, and the criminal case had not produced a final determination on the shooting's lawfulness as of September 22, 2026.
Timeline
6 timeline entries on this page. Dates: April 7, 2026 to May 1, 2026
April 2026
5 events
Federal immigration officers shoot Mendoza Hernández during Patterson stop
Incident
A four-person federal team stopped Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández near Interstate 5. Officers fired multiple rounds during the vehicle's movement, and Mendoza Hernández was hospitalized with several gunshot wounds.
[01]Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez
Source excerpt
Agent 1 was in the direct path of Mendoza Hernandez's vehicle and thus moved to his/her right to avoid being struck.
FBI probable-cause affidavit based on two participating agents' interviews and two publicly posted dashcam videos. It says three ICE ERO officers and one CBP officer conducted the stop and alleges Mendoza Hernández struck one agent, reversed into a government truck and then accelerated toward two agents. The document presents probable-cause allegations, not adjudicated facts.
Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez · United States Department of JusticeCase 2:26-mj-00040-AC, Document 1, pages 2-8[02]ICE officers shoot and wound a man during an immigration arrest in California
Source excerpt
The video has no sound and it's unclear when the shots were fired.
Associated Press's initial report describes the DHS account, the defense's dispute over Mendoza Hernández's identity and gang allegation, and the KCRA dashcam footage. It notes that the footage does not establish when the shots were fired or what commands were given.
ICE officers shoot and wound a man during an immigration arrest in California · Associated PressArticle body and description of KCRA dashcam footage[03]An attorney for a man shot by ICE in California says his client denies being a gang member
Source excerpt
He fled in a panic because he was being fired on.
Associated Press reports attorney Patrick Kolasinski's account that agents fired while the car was stopped and Mendoza Hernández fled the gunfire. It also reports that a 2019 Salvadoran court document showed an acquittal and did not identify him as a gang member.
An attorney for a man shot by ICE in California says his client denies being a gang member · Associated PressArticle body and AP videoFederal assault complaint filed against Mendoza Hernández
An FBI agent filed a probable-cause affidavit alleging that Mendoza Hernández struck an agent, hit a government vehicle and accelerated toward two agents before officers fired.
[01]Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez
Source excerpt
Agent 1 was in the direct path of Mendoza Hernandez's vehicle and thus moved to his/her right to avoid being struck.
FBI probable-cause affidavit based on two participating agents' interviews and two publicly posted dashcam videos. It says three ICE ERO officers and one CBP officer conducted the stop and alleges Mendoza Hernández struck one agent, reversed into a government truck and then accelerated toward two agents. The document presents probable-cause allegations, not adjudicated facts.
Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez · United States Department of JusticeCase 2:26-mj-00040-AC, Document 1, pages 2-8Federal magistrate judge orders Mendoza Hernández released on bond; order stayed
At his first federal court appearance, a federal magistrate judge in Sacramento ruled that Mendoza Hernández should be released on bond. The government asked for a stay, keeping him in custody pending review by a district judge.
[04]Judge orders man shot by ICE released on bond
Source excerpt
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered him released on bond, though the order is under stay for 48 hours. … The federal government asked for a stay of that order, so he will remain in custody for 48 hours, pending a decision by another judge, his attorney said. … “The official narrative in the complaint doesn’t match what we have seen from the video and heard from witnesses,” Kolasinski said in an email Tuesday, “but that is a topic for a later hearing or trial.”
Stocktonia report on Mendoza Hernández's first federal court appearance and the unsealed complaint.
Judge orders man shot by ICE released on bondStocktonia, April 14, 2026, 12:21 PM Pacific[05]Man shot by ICE in California charged with assault on federal officer
Source excerpt
On Tuesday afternoon, Hernandez appeared in a wheelchair in federal court in Sacramento before Magistrate Judge Claire. … Kolasinski told reporters after court that the judge ordered Hernandez released on $50,000 bond, in part, because he had no criminal record and was in no shape to harm anyone. But the prosecutors challenged this and so there is a 48-hour "stay" or hold on his release.
Report on Mendoza Hernández's first federal court appearance in Sacramento.
Man shot by ICE in California charged with assault on federal officerFOX 2 Detroit, April 14, 2026, 2:16 PM Eastern, updated 10:32 PMDistrict judge reverses bond order and keeps Mendoza Hernández in custody
U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd ordered Mendoza Hernández held until trial, reversing the release order. Drozd said a zoomed-in video showed the car's wheels turning left before the first agent fired, and he based the detention on flight risk rather than danger to the public.
[06]Man shot by ICE must remain behind bars to await trial
Source excerpt
A federal judge ordered the man shot by ICE agents in the Central Valley to remain in custody, reversing an earlier ruling that would have freed him as he awaits trial on a charge of assault on an officer. … Drozd said he arrived at the determination after watching a zoomed-in video of the traffic stop, in which he says the wheels of Mendoza Hernández’s car turned to the left prior to the moment the first ICE agent opened fire.
Stocktonia report on the April 20, 2026 detention hearing before U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd.
Man shot by ICE must remain behind bars to await trialStocktonia, April 20, 2026, 1:20 PM PacificPatterson residents rally in support of Mendoza Hernández
Reaction
Residents gathered in Patterson's Plaza Park for a rally supporting Mendoza Hernández. Organizers asked the City Council and mayor to adopt an ordinance barring ICE from operating on city property and to strengthen protections in line with the California Values Act.
[07]Fear has settled over some Patterson residents after ICE shooting, others demand accountability
Source excerpt
A group gathers for a rally in support of Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez in Plaza Park in Patterson April 25, 2026. … Those gathered at the April rally were unified on a list of demands for the Patterson City Council and mayor. They want the city to adopt an ordinance banning ICE from operating on city property and to strengthen protections in line with the California Values Act
Modesto Focus report on community reaction in Patterson a month after the shooting.
Fear has settled over some Patterson residents after ICE shooting, others demand accountabilityThe Modesto Focus, May 7, 2026
May 2026
1 event
Grand jury indicts Mendoza Hernández
The Justice Department announced a three-count indictment charging two assaults on federal officers with a deadly weapon and destruction of government property. The charges remained allegations.
[08]Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez indicted on assault and government-property charges
Source excerpt
A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment Thursday against Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez.
Justice Department announcement of two assault-on-federal-officer counts and one destruction-of-government-property count. It also states that the district court ordered Mendoza Hernández detained pending trial on April 20, 2026.
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez indicted on assault and government-property charges · United States Department of JusticePress release body
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Mendoza Hernández struck an agent, reversed into a government vehicle and then accelerated toward two agents, creating an immediate threat of serious injury or death.
United States Department of Justice
Sources (2)
- Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez · United States Department of JusticeCase 2:26-mj-00040-AC, Document 1, pages 2-8
- Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez charged with assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon · United States Department of JusticePress release body
Disputed claim
Agents fired while Mendoza Hernández's car was stopped, and he drove away in panic to escape the gunfire rather than to injure an officer.
Sources (1)
- An attorney for a man shot by ICE in California says his client denies being a gang member · Associated PressArticle body and AP video
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 7. Dates: April 7, 2026 to April 21, 2026
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses on this page
Carlos Iván Mendoza HernándezDefendant addressing the court during a detention hearingDirectly involved "My intention was never to hurt them. (Translated from Spanish. Original: Mi intención nunca fue lastimarlos.)"
DeniedCase context: Were federal immigration officers justified in shooting Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández?
Read more
Mendoza Hernández told the court that he never intended to hurt the officers.
Before the statement
The court considered video evidence and the government’s claim that Mendoza Hernández assaulted agents with his vehicle.
After the statement
The judge nevertheless ordered him detained based on flight-risk concerns.
Salvadoreño baleado por ICE seguirá en prisión por riesgo de fuga, según juezParagraph reporting Mendoza Hernández’s April 20 statement to the judgeWhy this label?
He explicitly denies the intent underlying the allegation that he used the vehicle to assault officers, a disputed factual premise for the shooting’s justification.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Patrick KolasinskiAttorney for Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández "The official narrative in the complaint doesn’t match what we have seen from the video and heard from witnesses"
DeniedCase context: Were federal immigration officers justified in shooting Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández?
Read more
After the criminal complaint against Mendoza Hernández was unsealed, his attorney Patrick Kolasinski wrote in an email that the official account in the complaint conflicts with the video and with witness accounts, and that the dispute would be argued at a later hearing or trial.
Before the statement
Earlier on April 14, the Justice Department released the unsealed FBI affidavit. It alleges that Mendoza Hernández moved the car forward and struck an agent, at around which time one agent fired, then reversed into a government truck and pulled forward toward two agents as both fired. Kolasinski had said his client was adamant that an officer shot him before he moved the car.
After the statement
A federal magistrate judge ruled the same day that Mendoza Hernández should be released on bond, but the order was stayed at the government's request.
Judge orders man shot by ICE released on bondStocktonia, April 14, 2026, 12:21 PM PacificMan shot by ICE in California charged with assault on federal officerFOX 2 Detroit, April 14, 2026, 2:16 PM Eastern, updated 10:32 PMWhy this label?
Reference point: whether the officers were justified in firing at Mendoza Hernández. The complaint says officers fired as he struck an agent and drove toward two others; Kolasinski says that account conflicts with the video and the witnesses, in line with his client's position that he was shot before he moved the car. That rejects the factual basis offered for the shooting, so we used Denied. The Condemned label on his April 8 remarks does not fit here because this statement does not judge the officers' conduct; it rejects the government's version of events. Evidence: a reputable news report quoting his email.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(15)
Original text
Criminal complaint and affidavit in United States v. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez
Relevant passage: Case 2:26-mj-00040-AC, Document 1, pages 2-8
Excerpt
"Agent 1 was in the direct path of Mendoza Hernandez's vehicle and thus moved to his/her right to avoid being struck."
About this source
FBI probable-cause affidavit based on two participating agents' interviews and two publicly posted dashcam videos. It says three ICE ERO officers and one CBP officer conducted the stop and alleges Mendoza Hernández struck one agent, reversed into a government truck and then accelerated toward two agents. The document presents probable-cause allegations, not adjudicated facts.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man shot by ICE in California charged with assault on federal officer
Relevant passage: FOX 2 Detroit, April 14, 2026, 2:16 PM Eastern, updated 10:32 PM
Excerpt
"On Tuesday afternoon, Hernandez appeared in a wheelchair in federal court in Sacramento before Magistrate Judge Claire. … Kolasinski told reporters after court that the judge ordered Hernandez released on $50,000 bond, in part, because he had no criminal record and was in no shape to harm anyone. But the prosecutors challenged this and so there is a 48-hour "stay" or hold on his release."
About this source
Report on Mendoza Hernández's first federal court appearance in Sacramento.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man shot by ICE must remain behind bars to await trial
Relevant passage: Stocktonia, April 20, 2026, 1:20 PM Pacific
Excerpt
"A federal judge ordered the man shot by ICE agents in the Central Valley to remain in custody, reversing an earlier ruling that would have freed him as he awaits trial on a charge of assault on an officer. … Drozd said he arrived at the determination after watching a zoomed-in video of the traffic stop, in which he says the wheels of Mendoza Hernández’s car turned to the left prior to the moment the first ICE agent opened fire."
About this source
Stocktonia report on the April 20, 2026 detention hearing before U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd.
- Author
- Lillian Perlmutter
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Judge orders man shot by ICE released on bond
Relevant passage: Stocktonia, April 14, 2026, 12:21 PM Pacific
Excerpt
"A federal judge on Tuesday ordered him released on bond, though the order is under stay for 48 hours. … The federal government asked for a stay of that order, so he will remain in custody for 48 hours, pending a decision by another judge, his attorney said. … “The official narrative in the complaint doesn’t match what we have seen from the video and heard from witnesses,” Kolasinski said in an email Tuesday, “but that is a topic for a later hearing or trial.”"
About this source
Stocktonia report on Mendoza Hernández's first federal court appearance and the unsealed complaint.
- Author
- Lillian Perlmutter
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Fear has settled over some Patterson residents after ICE shooting, others demand accountability
Relevant passage: The Modesto Focus, May 7, 2026
Excerpt
"A group gathers for a rally in support of Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez in Plaza Park in Patterson April 25, 2026. … Those gathered at the April rally were unified on a list of demands for the Patterson City Council and mayor. They want the city to adopt an ordinance banning ICE from operating on city property and to strengthen protections in line with the California Values Act"
About this source
Modesto Focus report on community reaction in Patterson a month after the shooting.
- Author
- Ximena Loeza
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
NorCal man shot by ICE sees family for first time; claims he drove away after officers shot first
Relevant passage: ABC7 San Francisco (KGO-TV), April 10, 2026
Excerpt
""Based on the video, it didn't look good," said retired San Jose police sergeant Scott Castruita, who is co-producer of Fugitive Watch. … "Based on what I saw, I saw a guy trying to get away," Castruita said. "I didn't see an officer in danger. But again, you need to be able to articulate the fact that you feared for your life or the life of somebody else, and this was the only means that you had at your disposal to shoot the guy. I wouldn't be able to articulate that from the vehicles. Now, what would be great is if they had body cams.""
About this source
Bay Area television report on Mendoza Hernández's account, with comment from a retired police sergeant who reviewed the dashcam video.
- Author
- Dustin Dorsey
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
White House Media Offenders entry on coverage of the Mendoza Hernández shooting
Relevant passage: Entry titled 'ABC, NBC Are Upset ICE Shot a Gangbanger Trying to Run Over an Agent'
Excerpt
"Legacy media outlets ABC and NBC attempted to incite outrage against heroic ICE officers for successfully defending themselves."
About this source
Official White House entry defending the ICE officers and criticizing ABC and NBC's coverage. The page does not show a standalone publication date; its cited broadcasts and linked commentary are dated April 7 and 8, 2026.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Salvadoreño baleado por ICE seguirá en prisión por riesgo de fuga, según juez
Relevant passage: Paragraph reporting Mendoza Hernández’s April 20 statement to the judge
Excerpt
"“Mi intención nunca fue lastimarlos.”"
About this source
The report covers the detention hearing, the assault allegation and Mendoza Hernández’s statement that he did not intend to hurt the officers.
- Author
- AP / Redacción de Judicial
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Urgent Media Advisory: ICE agents tried to murder Carlos Mendoza on April 7th
Relevant passage: Headline and opening background section
Excerpt
"“ICE agents tried to murder Carlos Mendoza on April 7th by shooting him seven times.”"
About this source
The chapter’s media advisory announces an interview request with its members and Mendoza’s family and states its position on the shooting and subsequent prosecution.
- Author
- Dare to Struggle Bay Area
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Another Senseless Shooting by ICE Agents Captured on Video: When will they be held accountable?
Relevant passage: Pages 1–3
Excerpt
"“I believe that the evidence that is publicly available at the time of this writing does not support Lyons’ claims.”"
About this source
Durston’s president’s message evaluates the government’s account against public dashcam footage, a witness account and reporting available at the time.
- Author
- Bill Durston
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
‘ICE got bad information’: Attorney disputes government claims made in Northern California ICE shooting
Relevant passage: Lines 258–314; statements by Todd Lyons and Patrick Kolasinski
Excerpt
"Lyons said officers “fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents and the public.”"
About this source
The report presents the government’s justification, Kolasinski’s response and the available dashcam footage after the Patterson shooting.
- Author
- Ruben Vives
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
An attorney for a man shot by ICE in California says his client denies being a gang member
Relevant passage: Article body and AP video
Excerpt
"He fled in a panic because he was being fired on."
About this source
Associated Press reports attorney Patrick Kolasinski's account that agents fired while the car was stopped and Mendoza Hernández fled the gunfire. It also reports that a 2019 Salvadoran court document showed an acquittal and did not identify him as a gang member.
- Author
- Christopher Weber
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
ICE officers shoot and wound a man during an immigration arrest in California
Relevant passage: Article body and description of KCRA dashcam footage
Excerpt
"The video has no sound and it's unclear when the shots were fired."
About this source
Associated Press's initial report describes the DHS account, the defense's dispute over Mendoza Hernández's identity and gang allegation, and the KCRA dashcam footage. It notes that the footage does not establish when the shots were fired or what commands were given.
- Author
- Hallie Golden
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez indicted on assault and government-property charges
Relevant passage: Press release body
Excerpt
"A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment Thursday against Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez."
About this source
Justice Department announcement of two assault-on-federal-officer counts and one destruction-of-government-property count. It also states that the district court ordered Mendoza Hernández detained pending trial on April 20, 2026.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez charged with assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon
Relevant passage: Press release body
Excerpt
"During this incident, and in response to the vehicle's movements, agents discharged their firearms at the vehicle."
About this source
Justice Department press release summarizing the government's allegations and noting that Mendoza Hernández was hit several times and taken into FBI custody after medical treatment. It states that the charge is an allegation.
- Published
- Accessed
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Were federal immigration officers justified in shooting Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández?
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/federal-immigration-officers-shooting-carlos-ivan-mendoza-hernandez-justified
The Dispute Index. "Were federal immigration officers justified in shooting Carlos Iván Mendoza Hernández?". First published: 2026-07-10. Last updated: 2026-10-06. https://disputeindex.com/cases/federal-immigration-officers-shooting-carlos-ivan-mendoza-hernandez-justified