Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot an undocumented gang member Tuesday after he tried to run over an officer with his vehicle during a targeted traffic stop in Stanislaus County, California.

The incident occurred near Interstate 5 in Patterson, about 90 miles south of Sacramento. ICE officers approached a vehicle occupied by Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, a member of the 18th Street Gang wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection with a murder. As the agents closed in, Mendoza Hernandez "weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over," according to a statement from Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. The officers then fired defensive shots, following their training to protect themselves, fellow agents, and the public.

Mendoza Hernandez was hospitalized in critical condition. No ICE agents were injured in the confrontation. The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office confirmed it is assisting with the investigation but noted no local officers fired shots. The FBI was also on scene.

Dashcam video from a nearby vehicle captured the tense moments, showing federal agents surrounding the suspect's car before shots rang out. The on- and off-ramps at Sperry Avenue on Interstate 5 were closed for much of the day, with no estimated reopening time initially provided.

The 18th Street Gang, also known as Barrio 18, operates as a violent transnational criminal organization with over 100,000 members in the United States. The U.S. State Department designated it a Foreign Terrorist Organization last year. Recent enforcement actions include the sentencing of a high-ranking member to more than 35 years for a 2017 murder in New York and the arrest of 12 members in Los Angeles last month for murder and other charges.

DHS highlighted a surge in violence against its officers, noting more than 180 vehicle attacks since President Trump's second term began. Lyons emphasized the dangers faced by agents in such operations. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office stated it expects federal partners to collaborate with state and local law enforcement during the probe.

The shooting comes amid heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has led to increased targeted arrests of criminal noncitizens. Similar incidents, including vehicle rammings during stops, have drawn scrutiny in recent months, though officials maintain the use of force was justified here.

Investigators continue to review body camera footage, dashcam evidence, and witness statements as the probe unfolds. Mendoza Hernandez remains under medical care, and further charges are expected.