UPDATE: A man shot from behind by an ICE agent is making headlines as he pleads not guilty to assault charges. Carlos Jimenez, a father of three, entered his plea on October 31, 2023, after being indicted for allegedly attempting to reverse his car into a Border Patrol agent during a tense immigration stop near his home in Ontario, California.
The incident, which occurred early on October 30, has drawn significant attention due to its alarming nature. Prosecutors claim Jimenez posed a threat by trying to “reverse” his vehicle into law enforcement. However, Jimenez’s attorneys vehemently deny these allegations, arguing that he was simply trying to leave the scene after warning agents about an approaching group of schoolchildren.
Jimenez was shot in the back of his right shoulder, and the bullet remains lodged there. His lawyers, Cynthia Santiago and Robert Simon, assert that Jimenez acted out of fear, not aggression. Present in federal court in Riverside, Jimenez appeared visibly shaken, his right hand in a sling as his family watched from the front row.
The presiding judge, Sheri Pym, has scheduled a jury trial for January 12, 2024. After the hearing, Jimenez, who is out on a $10,000 bond, expressed to family members how nervous he felt during the proceedings.
This incident marks the second shooting involving ICE agents in just over a week, raising serious concerns about the agency’s use of force. On October 21, Carlitos Ricardo Parias was shot in Los Angeles after allegedly trying to ram agents’ vehicles. Parias has also pleaded not guilty to assault charges linked to that incident.
In a related development, federal prosecutors in Chicago recently dropped charges against Marimar Martinez, who was shot multiple times by a Border Patrol agent after allegedly using her vehicle to strike law enforcement officers. This series of events showcases escalating tensions during immigration enforcement operations across the state.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of these incidents resonate deeply within the community, highlighting the urgent need for a thorough review of law enforcement practices. Stakeholders and observers await further developments as the situation continues to evolve.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
