A deputy US marshal and an undocumented immigrant — who is also a popular TikToker — were both wounded by shots fired by federal officers during an immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles, officials said.
The gunfire erupted in the 400 block of East 20th Street on Tuesday around 8:52 a.m. The Department of Homeland Security said agents were at the time conducting a “targeted enforcement traffic stop” involving a suspect who has “avoided capture before.” He has since been identified as 44-year-old Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Mexican national living in South Los Angeles.
Parias is well-known on TikTok for documenting ICE traffic stops and immigration enforcement operations around the city. His account, Richard LA, boasted more than 133,000 followers as of Wednesday morning.
Authorities initially attempted to box in Parias’ vehicle during the traffic stop on Tuesday, acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. Parias then then drove his Toyota Camry “both forward and back, hitting two of the law enforcement vehicles,” in front of and behind him. An agent at one point also attempted to break the driver’s side window of the car, but that did not subdue Parias, Essayli added.
As Parias continued to spin the tires, the back of his car began to “fishtail,” eventually prompting agents to open fire, according to Essayli.
“A vehicle is a deadly weapon,” Essayli said. “If it is used against federal agents, not only will you face years in federal prison, but you also face the possibility of deadly force being used against you.”
Parias, who was charged with assault on a federal officer, was shot once in the elbow while a deputy marshal caught a ricochet bullet to his hand. They were both taken to the hospital and are both in stable condition.
With News Wire Services
