(This story has been updated with new information.)
A man was shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers while they were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in Patterson, California, according to Todd Lyons, the acting ICE director.
The shooting occurred on April 7, after federal agents stopped Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez “for questioning in connection to a murder,” according to Lyons’ statement.
The traffic stop occurred near the off-ramp along the I-5 and Spencer Avenue at about 6:30 a.m. PST, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
As officers approached the vehicle, Mendoza Hernandez allegedly “weaponized his vehicle” and almost ran over an officer, according to Lyons’ statement.
Dashcam footage obtained by KCRA 3 appeared to capture the incident, showing a black vehicle on the side of the westbound lane on California State Route 130 as immigration agents approached the vehicle.
Federal agents can be seen leaning into the vehicle when it is seen being driven in reverse. The vehicle’s passenger door hits one of the ICE agent’s trucks, according to the footage.
Two of the agents can be seen drawing their firearms before the vehicle is driven toward the agents and turned toward the eastbound lane on California State Route 130. The vehicle is then driven across the intersection’s median into oncoming traffic, according to the footage.
It didn’t appear that the federal agents were struck by the vehicle in the footage obtained by KCRA 3.
It’s unclear when the federal agents fired their weapons but images captured by KCRA 3 show several bullet holes in the front of the vehicle.
“Following their training, our officers fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public,” Lyons said.
Lyons said Mendoza Hernandez is an 18th Street Gang member wanted in El Salvador and in the United States illegally.
Mendoza Hernandez was taken to a local hospital, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, but it’s unclear what his current condition is at the time of reporting.
Patterson is about 86.9 miles from San Francisco — about an hour and a half away — and many residents commute there daily.
Deputies from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are currently investigating the scene. The on and off ramps on I-5 and Sperry Avenue are closed and they are expected to be closed for the remainder of the day.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the shooting and released a statement on X.
“As is established practice, we expect our federal law enforcement partners to appropriately collaborate with state and local law enforcement as this matter is investigated,” the post from Newsom’s press office reads.
ICE shooting happened months after the killing of two American citizens
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents patrol at Washington Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 24, 2026.
The shooting comes just months after federal immigration agents fatally shot two American citizens during protests in Minnesota in January. The killings drew strong criticism of federal immigration enforcement tactics from both political parties.
On Jan. 7, an ICE officer killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, in her car during an immigration enforcement operation. Officials have said the officer, Jonathan Ross, fired in self-defense, saying she turned her SUV wheels toward federal agents, though video shows Good appearing to turn the car away from them.
On Jan. 24, two U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old American citizen, during a protest. Federal officials accused Pretti of carrying a gun to “inflict maximum damage and kill law enforcement,” but bystanders’ footage didn’t show Pretti brandishing his weapon, which he was legally authorized to carry.
Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA TODAY. Contact him at npadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Sign up for the TODAY Californian newsletter or follow us on Facebook at TODAY Californian.
Eduardo Cuevas is a National News Reporter with USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man hospitalized after ICE shooting in Patterson, California