WATCH: Stunning Footage Exhibits ICE Brokers Shoot Unlawful Alien Making an attempt To Run Them Over

On Apr 8, 2026

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were forced to open fire in self-defense after a wanted Salvadoran national attempted to run them over on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident occurred when agents conducted a targeted vehicle stop in Patterson, California, in Stanislaus County near Interstate 5 and the Sperry Avenue/Diablo Grande Parkway exit. The operation aimed to arrest Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, identified by ICE as a Salvadoran illegal alien and member of the 18th Street Gang who is wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection with a murder.

“ICE officers were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in Patterson, CA to arrest Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, an 18th Street Gang member wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection to a murder. As officers approached the car, the wanted gang member weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over,” acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told Fox News.

“Following their training, our officers fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public.The illegal alien was taken to a local hospital. The FBI is on the scene. This is a developing situation and we will update the public when more information is available.”

Hernandez was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the shooting, Fox News reported. No information has been released regarding the extent of his injuries or the condition of any agents involved.

The FBI is leading the investigation, consistent with standard protocol for incidents involving federal officers. Local authorities, including the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, are assisting, and portions of Interstate 5 were closed for several hours following the event, according to a report from KNTV.

Footage of the incident has circulated widely on social media. One dash cam video showed a number of agents gathered around a vehicle black vehicle, which accelerated backwards before swerving towards at least two agents.

Agents can then be seen opening fire as the driver attempted to escape.

Aerial footage of the incident shows several agents standing around a silver sedan in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Officer-worn body camera footage has not been released as of this report.

🚨 BREAKING: New footage shows the moment ICE agents UNLOADED fire in self defense against an El Salvador national and gang member who tried running them over with his vehicle

FAFO. Clear cut case of self defense, 100% justified.

God bless ICE, putting their lives on the line… https://t.co/7IblcWrCSP pic.twitter.com/jqOo4SEkUp

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 7, 2026

Additional details on Hernandez’s exact criminal history in the United States have not been released as of this report. The 18th Street Gang, which originated in Los Angeles, is a transnational criminal organization with documented ties to violent crime, according to the FBI.