ICE Agents Shoot Suspected Gang Member After Alleged Vehicle Ambush In California
Federal agents with ICE opened fire on a suspected gang member in California after authorities say he attempted to run them over during an arrest operation.
According to ICE Director Todd Lyons, agents stopped a vehicle near Interstate 5 in Patterson to detain Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, who was wanted for questioning in connection with a murder case in El Salvador.
As officers approached the vehicle, Hernandez allegedly accelerated toward them, using the car as a weapon. Agents responded by firing defensive shots, striking the suspect and stopping the threat.
? BREAKING: An ICE agent was involved in a shooting in California while pursuing a Salvadoran gang member wanted for murder in his home country. pic.twitter.com/4vG3T9Ic1E
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 7, 2026
Hernandez was transported to a hospital following the shooting. His condition has not been publicly confirmed, and officials said no agents were injured during the encounter.
Lyons said the agents acted in line with their training to protect themselves, their colleagues, and nearby civilians during what he described as a rapidly escalating situation.
Authorities identified Hernandez as a member of the 18th Street Gang, a transnational criminal organization with a significant presence in the United States and Central America.
The FBI has joined the investigation, sending agents to the scene as part of standard protocol following an officer-involved shooting.
Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the incident, with his office emphasizing the expectation of coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement as the case is reviewed.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement operations in California, where state policies have limited certain forms of cooperation between local authorities and federal agencies.
Officials have also pointed to a broader rise in threats against immigration officers, including a sharp increase in vehicle-related attacks, adding to concerns about officer safety during enforcement actions.