Witness comes forward in Patterson ICE shooting. What she says she saw, heard
An ICE officer fired a shot before Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez moved his vehicle after being stopped Tuesday morning in Patterson, a witness said.
Atwater-based lawyer Roberto Serrato is representing the witness, who was among the drivers on Sperry Avenue when ICE agents fired on Mendoza Hernandez. The acting director of ICE has said the Patterson man “weaponized” his SUV, attempting to strike officers and then flee the scene.
Mendoza Hernandez’s attorney said his client was hit by gunfire seven times.
The witness, who is being identified only as “Christina,” said through Serrato that she was on her way to work when she saw what looked like an agent smash a window on Mendoza Hernandez’s passenger side door.
While she was stopped behind a white Tesla, she said she heard one gunshot. After that, her lawyer said, she saw Mendoza Hernandez’s vehicle move, followed by more gunshots.
Serrato said Christina saw an ICE agent point a gun toward civilian vehicles. In fear for her own safety, she reversed her car. At this point, she saw Mendoza Hernandez back up his SUV and attempt to speed away.
“This is a civilian witness who was simply on her way to work and found herself in the middle of a very chaotic and dangerous situation,” Serrato said. “My role is to ensure that her firsthand account is presented accurately and that she is protected throughout this process.”
Christina has her own dashcam footage for part of the incident and is cooperating with investigators through her lawyer.
“This occurred in a heavily trafficked area during morning commute hours,” Serrato added. “Any situation involving gunfire in close proximity to civilians raises serious public safety concerns that deserve careful and objective review.”
Mendoza Hernandez is still in the ICU at Doctors Medical Center as of Friday morning and may have another surgery.
This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 10:55 AM.
