MODESTO, Calif. — A defense lawyer is challenging the federal government’s version of events surrounding a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during an arrest operation in central California on Tuesday.
Patrick Kolasinski, representing Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez and his family, stated during a Wednesday press conference that his client never attempted to strike officers with his vehicle. He also challenged federal claims that Mendoza faces an outstanding arrest warrant in El Salvador.
Federal immigration officials said they opened fire on Mendoza, 36, after he allegedly tried to drive into agents during an enforcement operation in Patterson, located approximately 75 miles southeast of San Francisco. The Department of Homeland Security characterized Mendoza as a suspected gang member wanted for questioning regarding a murder case in El Salvador.
However, Kolasinski painted a different picture of his client, describing him as someone with only minor traffic violations on his record and no criminal history in the United States. The attorney stated that Mendoza was previously acquitted of murder charges in El Salvador.
“If he was released after being acquitted, with no other holds on him, he cannot have a warrant,” Kolasinski said. “So that information must be either erroneous or completely made up. And only DHS knows what they’re looking at.”
The attorney acknowledged he hasn’t yet spoken with his client to verify whether gang allegations are accurate, though he said he’s found no supporting evidence.
This incident adds to a series of controversial shootings during the current administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts, where federal officials’ accounts have faced scrutiny.
The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawyer’s statements.
Mendoza’s fiancée, who identified herself only as Cindy due to safety concerns, defended her partner’s character. “He’s a good guy. He’s a hardworking person,” she said, adding that the administration’s immigration policies are damaging families. She mentioned that Mendoza was recently pulled over in another city for having a cracked windshield.
Television station KCRA obtained dashcam video showing three officers surrounding a stopped vehicle. The footage shows one officer appearing to touch the driver’s window when the car starts reversing and turning, striking a vehicle behind it. Two agents can be seen with weapons drawn and aimed at the car. The driver then moves forward toward the officers before making a sharp turn and driving over a road median.
The silent video doesn’t reveal when shots were fired or what verbal exchanges occurred.
“He is doing everything he can to not run them over,” Kolasinski said regarding his client’s actions during the arrest. The attorney believes Mendoza panicked and attempted to escape. Federal officials maintain their agents followed proper protocols.
Mendoza’s family and legal counsel have been denied access to him since his hospitalization, with his medical condition remaining unclear as of Wednesday. A social worker informed them he is in stable condition.
According to Kolasinski, Mendoza arrived in the United States in 2019, though the attorney said he doesn’t know his client’s immigration status or method of entry and hopes to discuss these details with him. Federal authorities haven’t clarified whether Mendoza faces criminal charges or is being held as a shooting victim.
The attorney described his client as a construction worker who repairs fire damage. Mendoza has a 2-year-old daughter and is engaged to an American citizen.
Kolasinski criticized officers for opening the car door during Mendoza’s escape attempt, calling it dangerous. “That may well be ICE training, but if it is it’s horrible training,” he said.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they weren’t involved in the incident, with the FBI now leading the investigation.
