“2 people were taken to the hospital.” “Richard LA” was actually Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, a father of two living in southern Los Angeles.
And his clips were consumed even more widely when he began to focus his camera on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids roiling Los Angeles.
“He has risen to become this very credible, respected and admired citizen journalist,” said Angelina Dumarot, a spokesperson for Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price.
And on Tuesday, he was targeted by federal agents trying to arrest him in an immigration proceeding, leading to a chaotic confrontation in downtown Los Angeles.
“He didn’t have to do that,” said the neighbor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity over fears of being targeted by federal agents.
August saw the release of the first video, “Richard LA,” on TikTok. 21 2024.
“Accident at 27th and San Pedro,” he wrote in Spanish beneath footage of paramedics pushing a man on a gurney into an ambulance and two damaged cars. Two individuals were brought to the hospital. “”.
A 44-year-old father of two who lived in southern Los Angeles, Carlitos Ricardo Parias was the real “Richard LA.”. Similar videos quickly flooded his TikTok feed. A house on 36th and Trinity Street caught fire. a vehicle collision at Maple Avenue and 29th Street.
Over the next few months, his audience grew steadily. And when he started to concentrate his camera on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids raging in Los Angeles, his clips were watched by an even wider audience. This month, he uploaded several videos that received over 50,000 views.
The spokesperson for Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price, Angelina Dumarot, stated, “He has become this very credible, respected, and admired citizen journalist.”. His actions were very brave, filled with love and passion. “”.
Many people were unaware, however, that Parias was an undocumented immigrant himself, according to federal authorities. Additionally, federal agents targeted him on Tuesday in an attempt to arrest him in connection with an immigration case, which resulted in a heated altercation in downtown Los Angeles.
“Parias had previously evaded capture and was the target of an administrative immigration arrest warrant,” the prosecution stated.
Around 8:45 a.m., after witnessing Parias leave his house and drive away. M. federal prosecutors claim that agents boxed in his Toyota Camry. After exiting their cars, the agents told Parias to get out of his vehicle. Prosecutors claim that instead, he drove forward and backward, colliding with two police cars.
According to prosecutors, Parias drove “more aggressively” when an agent attempted to smash the driver’s side window of the Camry. Prosecutors claimed that the vehicles’ spinning tires were the reason why plumes of smoke started to billow from them.
According to prosecutors, one of the agents opened fire because they were afraid Parias might strike them with his Camry or knock it out from between their cars. According to prosecutors, a deputy marshal was hit in the hand and Parias was struck in the elbow.
Arriving as the agents were yanking Parias from his vehicle, a witness described the scene as a “little war zone.”. “.”.
The witness, who asked to remain anonymous, stated, “It was obvious that the man was in a lot of pain.”.
Parias’ initial court appearance was postponed Wednesday because he remained in the hospital despite being charged with assault on a federal officer.
According to Carlos Jurado, his immigration lawyer, he attempted to contact his client Tuesday evening but was denied access, NBC News reported. Jurado claimed that on Wednesday morning, they spoke briefly over the phone.
“He didn’t understand what was happening, his health, or the extent of his injuries,” Jurado stated.
An official from the U.S. S. The Los Angeles attorney’s office stated that she was unaware of Parias’ medical condition and was unsure of the date of his initial appearance.
A request for comment was not immediately answered by an ICE representative.
Parias wasn’t a typical social media celebrity. Before pursuing a career as a citizen journalist, the Puebla, Mexico-born individual was employed in the construction industry.
According to Jose Ugarte, Price’s deputy chief of staff and a member of the City Council, “his car was full of tools.”. He claimed that it was difficult to find employment these days. “.”.
As a result, he started filming events in his neighborhood and sharing them on social media. At crime or accident scenes, he frequently went live and calmly described what was happening in front of him.
Ugarte and others familiar with Parias’ work said that he would avoid confrontations of any kind or interfere with law enforcement, unlike some citizen journalists.
In the crowded, predominantly Latino neighborhood where he resided, Parias began to gain recognition. However, social media did not share all of his good deeds.
Parias once found her husband to tell him that their car window was left down, according to a neighbor.
The neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous out of concern that federal agents would target him, stated, “He didn’t have to do that.”.
She continued, “He’s just a really nice guy.”.
A certificate of recognition for Parias’ “unwavering commitment to keeping the South LA community informed, empowered, and protected” was given by Price’s office in August. “”.
Ugarte claimed that while his teenage son watched from a nearby park, Parias broke down in tears when he was given the certificate.
According to Price’s office staff, many people who had grown to rely on his reports were shocked and saddened by the news of his shooting and arrest.
Dumarot remarked, “The entire community is shaken up.”. “This seems extremely targeted, and not in a good way. “.”.
Parias would frequently get in touch regarding neighborhood incidents, according to Ugarte. Sept. was the last time they spoke, according to Ugarte. 26 when he received an urgent message from Parias.
It said, “Jose, there’s a fire on 55th and Avalon.”. “Send the fire department right away, please. “.”.
When he called the fire department, Ugarte said, they told him it was on its way. Upon checking TikTok, he discovered that Parias had arrived first and was already recording.
