Salvadoran and Mexican national who was shot multiple times by federal immigration officers during a vehicle stop in Patterson, California, on April 7, 2026.
Case
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.
Role at the time: Defendant addressing the court during a detention hearing
Statement summary
Mendoza Hernández told the court that he never intended to hurt the officers.
“My intention was never to hurt them. (Translated from Spanish. Original: Mi intención nunca fue lastimarlos.)”
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.
Statement dates: April 20, 2026
Statement dates: April 20, 2026
Statement dates: April 20, 2026
Statement dates: April 20, 2026
