LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles resident recognized for his TikTok streaming about police actions and immigration enforcement was shot by federal officers on Tuesday morning while attempting to flee arrest.
Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, faces charges of assaulting a federal officer after he allegedly drove his vehicle into theirs while they sought to arrest him based on an immigration warrant. Mexican by nationality and allegedly residing in the U.S. illegally, Parias was struck in the elbow and has since been hospitalized, where he remains in stable condition.
Parias' attorney reported that hospital officials have yet to allow family visits, as Parias is under guard and has only been able to make brief calls from his hospital room.
“We want to see him in person,” commented his attorney, Carlos Jurado, as the hospital reportedly did not respond to requests for remarks.
A noted figure in South LA, Parias has gained a substantial following on TikTok, merging informative and entertaining content. His videos, totaling over 340,000 followers across two accounts, range from documenting police encounters to showcasing cultural activities like tortilla-making and local wildlife. In recent times, he has notably focused on protests against federal immigration operations.
Federal agents were monitoring Parias’ neighborhood Tuesday due to an existing administrative warrant. Following his exit from home, law enforcement boxed him in, initiating a confrontation wherein Parias reversed and struck their vehicles, leading to gunfire from at least one officer, who later sustained injuries from a ricochet.
This incident marks the second attempt to arrest Parias, with federal officials yet to clarify the specifics surrounding any prior deportation or removal orders against him.
Community advocates lauded Parias' ability to inform constituents about police activities, with José Ugarte, an aide to City Councilman Curren Price, acknowledging his contributions to public awareness and safety. “Residents rely on his coverage during tense times,” he noted.
In context, Chris Newman from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network emphasized the importance of citizen journalism in the face of sweeping enforcement actions, asserting it serves the public interest where institutional reporting often falls short.
The incident and its implications serve as a reflection of ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, community policing, and the pivotal role of citizen reporters in navigating these complex issues.
