Trending Now - Suspected Gang Member Charged After Ramming ICE Officer's Vehicle
WHO:
CNN - Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, 36, is a suspected gang member and dual citizen of El Salvador and Mexico.
Fox News - FBI Special Agent Brian Toy provided statements regarding the incident.
CNN - Mendoza's attorney is Patrick Kolasinski.
WHAT:
CNN - Mendoza was shot by ICE officers with more than six bullets, including in the face.
Fox News - Mendoza was transported to a hospital, where he was in the ICU and "was in no condition" to be released as of April 10th, 2026.
The Guardian - The Department of Justice did not repeat allegations of gang ties in its complaint and press release on April 12th, 2026.
CNN - Mendoza is charged with assaulting a federal officer with his vehicle.
Fox News - Mendoza allegedly rammed an ICE officer's vehicle during a traffic stop.
Fox News - Mendoza faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
CNN - Mendoza underwent three surgeries for multiple gunshot wounds.
WHERE:
CNN - The incident occurred in Patterson, California, approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of San Francisco.
Fox News - The targeted vehicle stop took place in Patterson, California.
WHEN:
CNN - The incident occurred on April 7th, 2026.
CNN - Mendoza is expected to appear in court on April 14th, 2026.
Fox News - Mendoza was arrested on April 7th, 2026.
WHY:
The Guardian - Mendoza's attorney stated that the Department of Justice's press release did not adhere to the Department of Homeland Security's narrative regarding Mendoza's alleged gang affiliation.
CNN - Mendoza was targeted by ICE agents due to being a suspected gang member wanted for questioning in El Salvador related to a killing.
Fox News - Authorities suspected Mendoza of being affiliated with the 18th Street Gang and believed he was in the U.S. illegally.
HOW:
CNN - Dashcam footage shows Mendoza reversing away from the officers as two officers pointed firearms at him, and then driving forward and jumping over a median.
CNN - Mendoza allegedly drove forward and struck a federal agent with his car and reversed back into a law enforcement vehicle.
Fox News - Mendoza "weaponized" his vehicle during the traffic stop, damaging a federal vehicle and attempting to ram officers.
Fox News - Agents discharged their firearms in response to Mendoza's actions, striking him several times.
(UPDATED April 15, 2026 04:02 UTC)
Mendoza was shot by ICE officers with more than six bullets, including in the face, and was transported to a hospital where he remained in the ICU and "was in no condition" to be released as of on Friday. The Department of Justice did not repeat allegations of gang ties in its complaint and press release on Sunday, which Mendoza's attorney claims contradicts the Department of Homeland Security's narrative regarding his alleged gang affiliation. Dashcam footage shows Mendoza reversing away from the officers as two pointed firearms at him, before driving forward and jumping over a median.
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(UPDATED April 14, 2026 23:18 UTC)
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, a 36-year-old suspected gang member and dual citizen of El Salvador and Mexico, is facing serious charges after allegedly assaulting a federal officer with his vehicle during a traffic stop in Patterson, California, on Tuesday. Mendoza, who reportedly rammed an ICE officer's vehicle and was shot multiple times by agents in response, is now facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, with his attorney, Patrick Kolasinski, representing him in this high-profile case linked to his suspected gang affiliations and a killing in El Salvador.