{"id":2589121,"date":"2026-04-10T00:28:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T04:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/illegal-immigrant-shot-by-ice-in-california-denies-gang-ties-attorney\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T00:29:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T04:29:31","slug":"illegal-immigrant-shot-by-ice-in-california-denies-gang-ties-attorney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/illegal-immigrant-shot-by-ice-in-california-denies-gang-ties-attorney\/","title":{"rendered":"Illegal immigrant shot by ICE in California denies gang ties: Attorney"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fillegal-immigrant-shot-by-ice-in-california-denies-gang-ties-attorney%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2589121&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-we-know-about-the-charlie-kirk-assassination-suspect\/\" title=\"What we know about the Charlie Kirk assassination suspect\">illegal immigrant shot<\/a> by ICE in California denies gang ties, according to his attorney. the salvadoran national, Carlos Ivan mendoza Hernandez, was wounded after ICE stopped his vehicle in Patterson, California, with authorities describing him as an 18th Street Gang member wanted in connection with a murder in el Salvador. Mendoza Hernandez, speaking through his lawyer in a livestreamed call, said he is not a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-sheriffs-tell-newsom-they-wont-enforce-covid-curfew\/\" title=\"... Sheriffs Tell Newsom They Won&#039;t Enforce COVID Curfew\">gang member<\/a> and that he fled only as he was fired upon; his attorney disputed ICE\u2019s account that the shooting was triggered by his driving. He had previously been charged with murder in El Salvador but was acquitted in 2019 and later moved to the United States, where he does not have U.S. citizenship.Mendoza Hernandez remains in critical condition after multiple gunshot wounds and has undergone three major surgeries,with his family visiting him in the hospital. The Department of Justice says he is not being detained as a suspect while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-of-haiti-assassinated-wednesday\/\" title=\"President of Haiti Assassinated Wednesday\">receiving medical treatment<\/a>, and the FBI is leading the inquiry, with ICE currently not involved; the attorney praised the DOJ for its handling of the case.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Illegal immigrant shot by ICE in California denies gang ties: Attorney<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2555897\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>An <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illegal-immigrants\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1972\">illegal immigrant<\/a> who was wounded in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/shootings\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1988\">shooting<\/a> initiated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California<\/a> on Tuesday denied he was affiliated with any gang, according to his attorney.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\">ICE<\/a> officers engaged Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez as a suspect after stopping his vehicle on a road in Patterson, California. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons described him as &ldquo;an 18th Street Gang member wanted in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/el-salvador\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2459\">El Salvador<\/a> for questioning in connection to a murder.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Explaining his client&rsquo;s situation on a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Onjvx72TTJ8\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Onjvx72TTJ8\">livestreamed call<\/a> with reporters, Patrick Kolasinski said he has &ldquo;no idea what the ICE director is talking about.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Only he knows what goes through his head,&rdquo; Kolasinski said of Lyons. &ldquo;If he wants to explain to me what he&rsquo;s talking about, I&rsquo;d be very happy to tell you whether or not it&rsquo;s the same crime.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Mendoza Hernandez was charged with murder in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/el-salvador\/\">El Salvador<\/a>, but he was ultimately acquitted in October 2019. After his name was cleared in court, he then moved to the United States. He does not have legal status as a U.S. citizen, according to his lawyer.<\/p>\n<p>Kolasinski relayed information from Mendoza Hernandez, who told him that he was not a gang member in El Salvador or <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/los-angeles\/\">Los Angeles<\/a>. He allegedly never even stayed long in the California city apart from a few visits with his fianc&eacute;e.<\/p>\n<p>Kolasinski rebutted ICE&rsquo;s statement when he claimed his client started driving away from the federal officers after they shot at him. The agency previously maintained that &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >officers fired defensive shots<\/a> to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public,&rdquo; but the Salvadoran national&rsquo;s account apparently paints a different picture.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not that his movement of the vehicle triggered the shooting but quite the other way around. And he fled in a panic because he was being fired on,&rdquo; Kolasinski said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He really wanted to stress that he was not trying to hurt anybody,&rdquo; the lawyer added. &ldquo;He was trying to get away because he&rsquo;d already been shot at, and he was just scared that he was going to die.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Kolasinski noted Mendoza Hernandez has not been able to speak clearly due to his injuries, but assured that certain bits of information are &ldquo;very clear.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The shooting placed Mendoza Hernandez in critical condition. He underwent three major surgeries for at least six gunshot wounds. On Thursday, his family saw him in the hospital for the first time since the non-fatal shooting.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"438\">Department of Justice<\/a> says Mendoza Hernandez is not being detained as a suspect and not under arrest while he undergoes medical treatment, Kolasinski also shared with the media.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4519060\/ice-shoots-person-in-northern-california\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4519060\/ice-shoots-person-in-northern-california\/\">ICE SHOOTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I do want to shout out the DOJ,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They have been very professional once we were able to actually establish contact and have been very helpful. So I want to kind of recognize them for the work that they&rsquo;re doing in this and the way they&rsquo;re facilitating everything.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"516\">FBI<\/a> is leading the investigation into the shooting, and ICE is currently not involved in the case. Kolasinski said that is standard practice for a criminal investigation, although he noted ICE may intervene again if the case warrants it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Immigrant shot by ICE denies gang ties, attorney says<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2589122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26098643358429.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[4045,8364,3813,4300],"class_list":["post-2589121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-california","tag-ice","tag-immigration","tag-shooting"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26098643358429.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2589121"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2589125,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589121\/revisions\/2589125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2589122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2589121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2589121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2589121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}