A TikTok streamer, Carlitos Ricardo Parias, aged 44, was shot during an immigration enforcement operation involving agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Marshals Service. The incident, which also resulted in injuries to a U.S. deputy marshal, has raised critical questions about the methods used in immigration enforcement operations. As of Wednesday, Parias remained hospitalized, prompting a delay in his court hearing regarding a charge of assaulting a federal officer.
According to a federal criminal complaint, Parias allegedly rammed his vehicle into the agents’ cars after they attempted to box him in during an operation aimed at enforcing immigration laws. This operation is a continuation of the Trump administration's crackdown on unauthorized immigrants, which has been met with increasing scrutiny and criticism.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated on X (formerly Twitter) that Parias “rammed a Toyota Camry into the law enforcement vehicles in front of and behind him, spinning the tires, causing smoke and debris to fill the air,” which raised safety concerns among the agents present.
The confrontation began around 8:45 a.m. when agents spotted Parias leaving a residence located in the 400 block of 20th Street, where they believed he was located due to an administrative arrest warrant related to a federal immigration proceeding. This operation was a part of ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants.
Prior attempts to arrest Parias had been unsuccessful, as he had evaded capture. On this occasion, as he entered his grey Toyota Camry, an agent driving a Dodge Durango positioned his vehicle in front of Parias’ car, activating emergency lights to prevent his escape. Observing the situation, Parias quickly reversed his vehicle, indicating he recognized the Durango as a law enforcement vehicle.
In a coordinated effort, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent used a Ford Escape to block one side of the Camry, while a Dodge Ram driven by a deputy marshal was parked behind. When approached by the agents and told to exit the vehicle, Parias allegedly refused to comply, leading to a chaotic scene where he began moving his car forward and backward, colliding with the surrounding vehicles.
As the situation escalated, an agent attempted to break the driver’s side window to gain access to Parias. Fearing for their safety as Parias’ car began to fishtail, an agent opened fire, resulting in injuries to both Parias and a deputy U.S. marshal, who was struck by a ricochet bullet. Thankfully, both individuals are expected to make a full recovery, according to Essayli.
Following the shooting, video footage captured the chaotic moments as agents urged Parias to “open the door.” In visible pain, Parias cried out, “Me dieron un balazo” (“They shot me”), as he was pulled from the vehicle. Firefighters arrived shortly thereafter to attend to his injuries.
Parias was subsequently transported to the Dignity Health-California Hospital Medical Center. His lawyer, Carlos Jurado, expressed frustration over the inability to meet with his client, stating that both he and Parias’ son were denied access to him. Jurado noted that he had waited hours to see Parias and that no federal agency had provided any documentation regarding the charges against him.
The incident has sparked significant concerns regarding the tactics employed by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations. Jurado emphasized the lack of communication from federal authorities, stating, “We want to know why they’re not allowing us to see him.” As this situation unfolds, further developments are expected, particularly regarding the legal implications for Parias and the operational practices of ICE and other federal agencies involved in immigration enforcement.
