In California traffic stop, ICE agents shoot suspect wanted in El Salvador, officials say

By Cecilio Padilla

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said agents shot a suspect on Tuesday morning during a traffic stop in Stanislaus County.

In a statement, ICE said its officers pulled over a vehicle in the Patterson area while attempting to arrest Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, whom the agency said is wanted in El Salvador in connection with a murder.

According to ICE officials, Hernandez attempted to run over an officer during the stop, prompting the agents to fire.

Hernandez was taken to the hospital. No information has been released about his condition.

Deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office are assisting with the investigation, but the department said no local law enforcement officers were involved in the shooting. The FBI is also at the scene.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said he’s been briefed on the incident. 

In their statement, ICE officials allege Hernandez is a member of the 18th Street gang – a gang U.S. officials say is affiliated with the Mexican Mafia and with a known presence in Los Angeles as well as Mexico.

The exact location of the incident remains unclear, but all on- and off-ramps on Interstate 5 at Sperry Avenue near Patterson are expected to be closed for most of Tuesday.

This is a developing story.