ICE Agents Shoot Suspected Gang Member in California After Vehicle Incident
Patterson, CA – April 7, 2026 – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot a man in Patterson, California, after he allegedly “weaponized his vehicle” in an attempt to run over an officer, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed.
The targeted stop was part of an operation to arrest Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, an alleged member of the 18th Street Gang, who is wanted in El Salvador for questioning related to a murder. The 18th Street Gang, based in Los Angeles, reportedly has over 100,000 members nationwide.
“As officers approached the car, the wanted gang member weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over,” said Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE. “Following their training, our officers fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public.” Hernandez was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The FBI is currently on the scene, and authorities have stated that this is a developing situation with updates forthcoming.
This incident comes amid a partial shutdown of DHS funding, which began in February after Congressional Democrats opposed continued funding for ICE and portions of Customs and Border Protection. The agency has faced heightened scrutiny since January, following separate enforcement actions in Minneapolis that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens.