An influential Los Angeles man who livestreams US immigration enforcement operations on social media remained hospitalized on Wednesday after he was shot and arrested by federal agents.
He was shot in the elbow during the incident while a ricochet bullet hit a deputy US marshal in the hand.
On the TikTok profile Richard LA, Parias has for months been posting videos of federal agents arresting people, along with footage of protests and car collisions.
Video obtained by the Los Angeles Times showed Parias screaming for help after the shooting and firefighters responding to the scene.
Anyone who uses them against federal agents risks arrest, imprisonment and life-threatening injuries.” If convicted, Parias could face a sentence of up to eight years in prison.
An influential Los Angeles man who uses social media to livestream US immigration enforcement operations was shot and taken into custody by federal agents on Wednesday, and he was still in the hospital.
Authorities claim that after federal agents surrounded and boxed in Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a TikTok creator with a sizable online following, he attempted to escape by ramming their cars with his own. During the event, a ricochet bullet struck a deputy US marshal in the hand, and he was shot in the elbow.
Although Parias was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday to face charges of assault on a federal officer, the US attorney’s office stated that due to Parias’ continued hospitalization, the proceedings had been postponed.
Parias has documented US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations as the Trump administration has carried out its aggressive campaign of mass deportations, including raids throughout southern California.
Parias has been sharing videos of arrests by federal agents, as well as footage of protests and auto accidents, on the Richard LA TikTok profile for months.
A well-known local figure, the 44-year-old was recently honored by the office of Los Angeles city council member Curren Price for his contributions to the community and “unfiltered portrayal of real life [that] has fostered a loyal following.”.
“As a fearless citizen journalist, Richard is a pillar of our community whose genuine storytelling has continuously elevated the underrepresented voices of South Central Los Angeles,” a statement from Price’s office read.
Because he was the “subject of an administrative arrest warrant” and had allegedly eluded capture in the past, federal agents installed surveillance near his residence on Tuesday morning, according to court documents. Agents surrounded Parias’ car as he started to drive off, stopping him.
According to court filings, Parias started to move the car forward and backward and “make contact” with the other cars when the agents approached him and told him to get out. The complaint claims that the agents were “fearing that Parias would successfully dislodge the Camry … and injure them” as the rear of the vehicle started to fishtail and his spinning tires produced significant smoke plumes.
Parias was not “subdued” by an agent breaking a side window of the car, according to a statement from acting US attorney Bill Essayli. An agent then opened fire, wounding Parias and a deputy US marshal.
According to a witness who spoke to ABC7, Parias appeared apprehensive and frightened as agents used tear gas and rubber bullets. Following the shooting, Parias was seen yelling for assistance on video that the Los Angeles Times was able to obtain, and firefighters were seen arriving on the scene.
In a statement, Essayli declared: “Automobiles are lethal weapons.”. Anybody who uses them against federal agents runs the risk of being arrested, imprisoned, and suffering potentially fatal injuries. “.”.
Parias could be imprisoned for up to eight years if found guilty.
