Man injured in Northern California ICE shooting; family disputes gang allegations
July 29, 2026 · Patterson, CA, El Salvador
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, a Salvadoran man and father of a 2-year-old daughter, was shot by ICE agents on Interstate 5 at Sperry Avenue in the Patterson area of Stanislaus County, California. ICE acting director Todd Lyons said Mendoza Hernandez was undocumented and an alleged gang member wanted for questioning in connection with a murder in El Salvador. His fiancée Cindy and attorney Patrick Kolasinski disputed the gang allegation, stating he had no criminal encounters since arriving in the U.S. around 2019 or 2020. Kolasinski said he received information from El Salvador that Mendoza Hernandez had been acquitted of the murder charge and there should be no active warrant. The family had not been given updates on his condition or told how many times he was shot. A Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said he was in critical condition. His fiancée believes a recent traffic stop for a cracked windshield may have led to him being targeted. Kolasinski criticized ICE's handling of the confrontation, saying proper protocol would have been a calm approach. The FBI is leading the investigation.
Sources
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