ICE Shoots Unauthorized Immigrant With Alleged Gang Ties in CA

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers shot an unauthorized immigrant in California on Tuesday during an operation; officials said he was a suspected gang member.

The Details: ICE agents were attempting to arrest Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, an El Salvadorian immigrant, when Hernandez "weaponized his vehicle" and attempted to run over the officers. According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE agents fired defensive shots at Hernandez. Hernandez is allegedly part of the 18th Street Gang and wanted for questioning in El Salvador about a murder. He was taken to a local hospital, but the extent of his injuries is currently unknown.

For Context: Since Jan. 2025, ICE and Border Patrol (CBP) agents have shot 12 people during immigration operations. In Jan. 2026, protestors Renee Good and Alex Pretti were both shot and killed by ICE and CBP officers in Minnesota; Good was shot after also allegedly attempting to hit ICE officers with her car. The 18th Street Gang has over 100,000 members, according to federal authorities. 

From the Right: Outlets on the right emphasized Hernandez's alleged gang ties and his attempt to hit officers with his vehicle. The New York Post (Lean Right bias) referred to Hernandez as a gang member without adding "alleged" in its coverage. It also described the 18th Street Gang as "a gigantic and extremely violent" organization that "controls a large portion of the narcotics trade in Los Angeles" and has targeted ICE agents and local police. The Blaze (Right) described the dashcam footage of the interaction. 

From the Left and Center: Outlets on the left described Hernandez as a California man before mentioning his alleged gang ties. Washington Post (Lean Left) said ICE provided no evidence "to back up the allegation" that Hernandez was a gang member. Associated Press (Left) provided straight forward coverage and said it was "unknown if [Hernandez] had an attorney who could speak on his behalf." CNBC (Lean Left) and Newsweek (Center) highlighted previous shootings by ICE and CBP, saying that body cam footage "contradicted" official claims about the incidents. Wall Street Journal (Center) noted Hernandez "weaponized his vehicle," which it said is a phrase Homeland Security has "used in other immigration enforcement incidents."

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