TikTok Journalist Carlitos Ricardo Parias Shot and Charged After Confrontation with Federal Agents in Los Angeles
October 22, 2025
In a dramatic event that has ignited a national conversation on immigration enforcement and citizen journalism, Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a prominent TikTok creator known for documenting ICE operations, was shot and charged with assault on a federal officer after a confrontation during an arrest attempt in South Los Angeles. The incident also left a Deputy U.S. Marshal injured.
The Arrest Operation and Shooting
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the incident occurred on the morning of October 21. Federal agents had located Parias, who was the subject of an administrative immigration arrest warrant and had previously avoided capture .
Agents surveilled Parias as he left a residence and entered his gray Toyota Camry. Law enforcement vehicles then moved to box in his car, leaving it with no means of escape . Officials state that agents approached the car and ordered Parias to exit and submit to arrest, but he ignored these commands .
The situation escalated when Parias allegedly began driving the Camry forward and backward, striking two of the law enforcement vehicles . An affidavit states that his driving became more aggressive, with the car’s tires spinning violently enough to produce large plumes of smoke and cause the vehicle to fishtail . Debris from the tires struck some of the agents on the scene, who feared Parias would break free and injure them .
An agent then attempted to break the driver’s side window of the Camry with their service weapon . During this attempt, the agent’s weapon discharged . The single shot struck Parias in the elbow, and a ricochet from the same bullet hit a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the hand . The Department of Homeland Security stated that officers fired “defensive shots” fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement . Both Parias and the marshal were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover .
Who is Carlitos Ricardo Parias?
Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, is a Mexican national living in the United States illegally . To his more than 130,000 TikTok followers, he is known as “Richard LA,” a citizen journalist who frequently documented the activities of ICE agents around Los Angeles, sometimes sharing their locations .
His work had garnered him recognition within the community. Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price described Parias as a “pillar of our community, a fearless citizen journalist whose authentic storytelling has consistently uplifted the unheard voices of South-Central Los Angeles” . Price’s office had previously awarded him a certificate of recognition for his community reporting .
However, federal authorities viewed him differently. The Department of Homeland Security noted he had “previously escaped from custody” . Following the incident, Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated, “A vehicle is a deadly weapon… 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” .
Official Charges and Ongoing Investigations
Carlitos Ricardo Parias has been formally charged with assault on a federal officer . He was scheduled for an initial appearance in United States District Court in Los Angeles on October 22 . If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison .
The case has drawn the attention of multiple federal agencies. Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are leading the investigation, with assistance from ICE, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives .
A Case of Deeply Divided Perspectives
The shooting of Carlitos Ricardo Parias has laid bare the deep divisions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.
The Official Stance: Federal authorities frame the incident as a clear-cut case of an individual dangerously resisting arrest. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin linked the event to broader tensions, saying, “These are the consequences of conduct and rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and activists who urge illegal aliens to resist arrest” . Data from ICE cited in one report indicates a significant increase in assaults against officers this year compared to the same period last year .
The Defense and Community View: In contrast, Parias’s attorney, Carlos Jurado, portrays his client as a peaceful man. “He’s a very pacifist man. He’s very calm. A lot of the police officers here know him. They know that he’s very respectful,” Jurado told local news . He also mentioned that Parias has two U.S.-born children and no criminal record . Supporters gathered outside the hospital following the shooting, and his community reporting has been celebrated by local leaders .
The National Context and What Comes Next
This incident occurs amid a national backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement. The current administration has pledged to carry out a tough immigration agenda, leading to an increase in raids and a corresponding rise in tensions . The case of Carlitos Ricardo Parias sits squarely at the intersection of this policy, the rise of citizen journalism, and ongoing debates over the tactics used by federal agents.
Parias remains in federal custody and will proceed through the judicial system. The multiple investigations into the shooting will seek to determine the exact sequence of events and whether the use of force was justified. As the legal process unfolds, the story of Carlitos Ricardo Parias has become a flashpoint, reflecting the complex and often conflicting narratives that define America’s immigration debate.