ICE Agents Shoot Violent Illegal Alien Gangster After Migrant Tries to Mow Down Officer During Targeted Vehicle Stop in California

by Cullen Linebarger Apr. 7, 2026 2:40 pm



The aftermath of an ICE-involved shooting in Patterson, California. Credit: KTVU screenshot

ICE agents had to take dramatic action this afternoon to save their own lives from an extremely violent illegal alien in California.

As KTVU reported, ICE officers shot a person in Paterson who they suspected was an illegal immigrant gang member. This led to a partial closure of the I-5 freeway in Stanislaus County.

Per KTVU, the illegal alien was wanted in connection with a murder in the city.

Fox News’s Bill Melugin later revealed more information: the illegal alien was a known 18th Street gangster from El Salvador and was shot while ICE agents were trying to arrest him.

“I’m told by a senior federal law enforcement source that ICE’s target was a known 18th Street gang member from El Salvador who is wanted in his home country in connection to a murder,” Melugin reported.

“ICE shot him while trying to arrest him. Details on what happened still unclear. More to come.”

Bill Melugin
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I'm told by a senior federal law enforcement source that ICE's target was a known 18th Street gang member from El Salvador who is wanted in his home country in connection to a murder. ICE shot him while trying to arrest him. Details on what happened still unclear. More to come.

KTVU
@KTVU

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers shot someone in Patterson, Calif., leading to the partial closure of the I-5 freeway in Stanislaus County, the sheriff announced on Tuesday.

https://ktvu.com/news/ice-shoots-per...source=twitter

2:12 PM · Apr 7, 2026

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons released a statement identifying the criminal migrant and added that the officers acted in self-defense after the alien tried to run them over.

The illegal, Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, was taken to a local hospital, and the FBI is on scene.

Here is the full statement:

On April 7, 2026, 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. 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.

Bill Melugin
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Replying to @BillMelugin_UPDATE: Statement to @FoxNewsvia Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, confirming the above: “On April 7, 2026, 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

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2:30 PM · Apr 7, 2026

Developing…

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...lien-gangster/