Table of Contents
- Incident Overview
- Who Is Carlitos Parias?
- Law Enforcement Response
- Legal Charges and Consequences
- Broader Implications
- Sources
L.A. Traffic Stop Turns Violent: Marshal, Immigrant Shot
A routine immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles took a dramatic turn on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, when a traffic stop escalated into gunfire, leaving both a U.S. Marshal and a Mexican national wounded.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal agents attempted to detain 44-year-old Carlitos Ricardo Parias during a targeted stop near downtown Los Angeles. Parias, described as an undocumented immigrant, allegedly attempted to flee by ramming his vehicle into law enforcement cars that had boxed him in.
As tensions escalated, agents fired shots. Parias was struck in the elbow, while a deputy U.S. Marshal suffered a non-life-threatening injury to his hand from a ricocheting bullet.
Who Is Carlitos Parias?
Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, is a Mexican national residing in South Los Angeles. Federal authorities say he was the subject of an administrative immigration arrest warrant and had previously evaded detention.
On Tuesday morning, agents surveilling his residence observed him leaving home and getting into his car. They initiated a traffic stop shortly after, attempting to take him into custody.
Law Enforcement Response
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, agents ordered Parias to exit his vehicle after surrounding it. Instead, he began reversing and accelerating forward repeatedly, striking two federal vehicles.
One agent attempted to break the driver’s side window, at which point “plumes of smoke” reportedly emerged from the car—possibly from an airbag deployment or other mechanical issue. Fearing for their safety, an officer opened fire.
“A vehicle is a deadly weapon,” said Bill Essayli, acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. “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.”
Legal Charges and Consequences
Parias was charged Tuesday with assault on a federal officer, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison if convicted.
Both Parias and the injured deputy marshal were hospitalized. Officials confirmed that Parias is expected to recover, and the marshal remains in stable condition.
| Individual | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Carlitos Ricardo Parias | Gunshot wound to elbow | Expected to recover |
| Deputy U.S. Marshal | Ricochet wound to hand | Stable, non-life-threatening |
Broader Implications
This incident is the latest in a string of high-tension encounters involving immigration enforcement. In September 2025, a similar traffic stop in Chicago ended with an ICE agent fatally shooting a fleeing suspect who struck an officer with his vehicle.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that “resisting arrest puts the safety of illegal aliens, law enforcement, and the public at risk.”
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it was not involved in the operation but assisted with traffic control. All investigative authority remains with federal agencies.
