A popular Los Angeles man who livestreams law enforcement activity on TikTok was shot by federal agents during an arrest attempt Tuesday morning. Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, known online as “Richard LA,” faces federal charges of assault on a federal officer after allegedly ramming his vehicle into agents’ cars while attempting to evade capture on an immigration warrant. The confrontation, which occurred in the Historic South-Central area of Los Angeles, also resulted in a deputy U.S. Marshal being injured by a ricochet bullet.
The Confrontation and Shooting
The incident unfolded Tuesday morning when federal agents, including personnel from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Marshals Service, initiated surveillance on Parias near his residence. According to a federal criminal complaint, agents had an administrative immigration arrest warrant for Parias, who had reportedly evaded capture previously. When Parias departed his home in a gray Toyota Camry, agents maneuvered their vehicles to block his path. Authorities allege that Parias, recognizing the law enforcement presence, reversed his car and then drove both forward and backward, making contact with at least two of the agents’ vehicles.
Federal officials state that Parias ignored commands to exit his vehicle and instead accelerated aggressively, causing his tires to spin, generate smoke, and the car to fishtail. This maneuver, prosecutors contend, led agents to fear for their safety. An agent then attempted to break the driver’s side window. As the situation escalated, at least one agent opened fire, striking Parias in the elbow. A deputy U.S. Marshal, assisting in the operation, was wounded in the hand by a ricochet bullet. Both Parias and the deputy marshal sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals. The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and other agencies are investigating the incident.
“Richard LA”: Documenting Enforcement in Los Angeles
Carlitos Ricardo Parias is a well-known figure in his community, particularly for his prolific presence on TikTok under the username “Richard LA.” He has gained a substantial following, estimated to be between 130,000 and over 340,000 across various accounts, by documenting and often live-streaming law enforcement actions, including ICE raids, police activity, and community events in the Los Angeles area. His reporting has been recognized by local officials; the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price recently awarded Parias a certificate of recognition for his work as a citizen journalist.
His attorney, Carlos Jurado, described Parias as a “very pacifist man” and a “fearless citizen journalist.” Jurado expressed that his client was merely documenting activities and questioned the official account of events. He also noted that Parias had a previous encounter with ICE agents on June 13, where he was allegedly pushed while documenting their activity and required hospitalization, reportedly wearing a “press” vest at the time.
Federal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Parias, a Mexican national residing in the U.S. illegally, has been charged with assault on a federal officer. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that “vehicles are deadly weapons” and anyone using one against federal agents “risks arrest, imprisonment and life-threatening injuries.” If convicted, Parias faces a statutory maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison. His initial court appearance, scheduled for Wednesday, was delayed due to his hospitalization.
Authorities have defended the agents’ actions, citing Parias’s alleged use of his vehicle as a weapon and the need for defensive shots to ensure public and officer safety. The Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that the agents “followed their training and fired defensive shots” after Parias “weaponized his vehicle and began ramming the law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee.”
A Wider Lens on Enforcement and Citizen Journalism
This incident occurs at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding federal immigration enforcement tactics across the country, including in Los Angeles. Critics and immigrant rights advocates have raised concerns about the use of aggressive tactics, particularly in densely populated neighborhoods. Parias’s case highlights the growing trend of individuals using social media platforms like TikTok to document and report on law enforcement activities in real-time. While such efforts can promote transparency and accountability, they also underscore the inherent risks involved for both citizen journalists and law enforcement officers during volatile encounters.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with multiple federal agencies involved. The outcome will likely shed further light on the sequence of events and the justification for the use of force. The current news surrounding this event brings to the forefront complex issues of immigration law, citizen oversight, and the evolving landscape of public documentation in the digital age. The Los Angeles community and observers nationwide will be closely following the legal proceedings and the broader implications of this highly publicized incident.
