A 36-year-old California man, Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, was arrested by the FBI on Monday immediately after being released from the hospital. He had been recovering from being shot seven times by ICE officers. His attorney, Patrick Kolasinki, expressed strong objections to the arrest, emphasizing his client's fragile medical condition.

Arrest Amidst Medical Recovery

Hernandez was discharged from Doctors Medical Center in Modesto around 1 p.m. According to Kolasinki, the FBI had already taken his client to Sacramento County Jail. Later, it was confirmed that Hernandez was transferred to San Joaquin County Jail, where he is reportedly receiving medical care and medication, including a hospital bed.

Kolasinki argued that Hernandez's physical state made the arrest and transfer highly inappropriate. He stated that his client was still in the ICU as of Monday and required assistance to sit up. Kolasinki anticipates charges against Hernandez, possibly related to assaulting a federal officer, though none were officially filed by late Monday night.

Details of the Shooting and Injuries

The attorney detailed the severity of Hernandez's injuries, noting he was shot in the mouth, left arm, left leg, abdomen, and right side. Hernandez recounted seeing his bones protruding from his arm after being handcuffed by ICE officers. He did not receive immediate first aid after the April 7 shooting on I-5 in Patterson, California, until an ambulance arrived.

Conflicting Accounts and Legal Status

The Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE officers shot Hernandez because they wanted to question him about a murder in El Salvador and that he "weaponized" his vehicle to escape. However, Hernandez and a witness named Christina, through their attorneys, contest this narrative. They assert that ICE officers initiated the shooting before Hernandez attempted to maneuver his car.

Christina's lawyer, Roberto Serrato, mentioned that the FBI canceled an interview with his client, who was representing Christina pro bono. Hernandez, who lacks legal status in the U.S., was acquitted of the murder charges in El Salvador in 2019.

Ethical and Legal Questions Raised

The swift arrest and transfer of Hernandez while in a severely injured state raise significant questions about due process and the treatment of vulnerable individuals. The conflicting accounts of the incident and the nature of ICE's interest in Hernandez highlight the need for transparency and accountability.

Despite his ordeal, Hernandez is reportedly focused on his family and struggling emotionally about seeing them again. Kolasinki has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Hernandez's family, drawing attention to the treatment of undocumented immigrants and the potential for excessive force by law enforcement.