Los Angeles, Oct. 21, 2025 (Updated Oct. 22, 2025) — A U.S. Marshal and a Mexican immigrant were wounded by gunfire during a federal enforcement operation in Los Angeles on Tuesday, after immigration officers opened fire when the suspect rammed a law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee, authorities said.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), confirmed that the incident occurred during a targeted traffic stop involving a man wanted on an immigration-related warrant. According to officials, the man — later identified as Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, a Mexican national residing in South Los Angeles — tried to escape by accelerating his car into federal vehicles that had boxed him in.
Officers with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division then opened fire, striking Mr. Parias in the elbow. A deputy U.S. marshal at the scene was also injured when a ricochet bullet hit him in the hand. Both men were transported to nearby hospitals. Officials said neither injury was life-threatening.
“The marshal remains in stable condition, and Mr. Parias is expected to recover,” Ms. McLaughlin said in a statement.
Charges Filed in Federal Court
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California charged Mr. Parias on Tuesday with assault on a federal officer. He is expected to appear in federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
“If a vehicle is used against federal agents, it becomes a deadly weapon,” Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. “Those who endanger law enforcement officers not only face years in federal prison but also the possibility of deadly force being used against them.”
Officials said Mr. Parias was the subject of an administrative immigration arrest warrant and had previously avoided detention attempts. Federal agents had been conducting surveillance in a neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles when they spotted him leaving his home and driving away.
When law enforcement vehicles surrounded his car, officers ordered Mr. Parias to exit. Instead, he reportedly reversed and accelerated forward multiple times, striking two of the vehicles. One agent attempted to break his driver-side window, and according to a statement, “plumes of smoke formed around the vehicle” before shots were fired.
Local Recognition and Social Media Following
Mr. Parias, who was known online as “Richard LA,” had a significant social media following and described himself as a “citizen journalist.” Los Angeles City Council member Curren D. Price Jr. confirmed on social media that Mr. Parias had been recognized by his office earlier this year for his activism.
In August, the council formally acknowledged Parias for his “tireless efforts to safeguard our neighborhoods from illegal raids and abductions,” according to a TikTok video he posted.
As of Tuesday night, the Richard LA TikTok account had over 133,000 followers, featuring Spanish-language videos documenting traffic stops, ICE operations, and community events across Los Angeles. His recent posts included coverage of the Chevron refinery explosion in El Segundo, California.
The revelation that the man injured in the shooting was a prominent online figure has sparked debate among community members and immigrant rights advocates. Some supporters expressed concern about the level of force used by federal officers, while law enforcement officials defended the agents’ response, citing the immediate threat to their safety.
Ongoing Federal Investigation
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) assisted with traffic control in the area but clarified that its officers were not involved in the operation. The LAPD referred all questions regarding the shooting to federal agencies.
In a statement, DHS officials reiterated that resisting arrest during immigration operations can escalate into dangerous situations.
“Resisting arrest puts the safety of immigrants, law enforcement, and the public at risk,” McLaughlin said.
If convicted, Mr. Parias faces up to eight years in federal prison for assaulting a federal officer, the Justice Department said.
Pattern of Violent Immigration Arrests
The Los Angeles incident is part of a wider pattern of tense and sometimes violent encounters between immigration authorities and undocumented individuals across the country. In September, a similar case in Chicago ended fatally when an ICE agent shot and killed a man who allegedly struck an officer with his vehicle while attempting to escape.
Federal officials have conducted hundreds of immigration arrests nationwide in recent months, as part of stepped-up enforcement operations under the Department of Homeland Security.
While Tuesday’s incident remains under investigation, it has reignited debate over the use of force in immigration enforcement, particularly in heavily populated urban areas. Civil rights advocates are urging transparency and calling for body-camera footage and federal oversight.
As both the injured U.S. marshal and Mr. Parias recover, federal agencies say they are reviewing the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. Authorities have not disclosed whether any of the agents involved have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation.
