LOS ANGELES (RTWNews) — Federal agents shot a popular TikTok streamer, Carlitos Ricardo Parias, during an arrest attempt in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning. Parias, who documents police activities, immigration enforcement, and everyday life in his South LA neighborhood, faces charges of assaulting a federal officer after reportedly ramming his vehicle into theirs.
Parias, a 44-year-old Mexican citizen living in the U.S. illegally, was shot in the elbow during the encounter and remains hospitalized in stable condition. His initial court appearance has been postponed, with his attorney, Carlos Jurado, stating that he has yet to see his client due to hospital restrictions.
The TikTok influencer is recognized for his Spanish-language videos, attracting over 340,000 followers across two accounts. His content includes real-time updates on police activity, car accidents, and demonstrations against immigration actions. Recently, he reported an immigration agent’s raid that caught the attention of local city council member Curren Price’s office, acknowledging his contributions to local news dissemination.
Federal agents were surveilling Parias’ neighborhood as they had an administrative immigration arrest warrant for him. The attempt to detain him escalated when he reportedly collided with their vehicles, prompting the officers to open fire. U.S. officials noted that this was their second attempt to arrest him.
Jurado has expressed frustration over the lack of information about his client’s situation, while supporters and advocates highlight the importance of independent reporting in the community amidst growing fears associated with immigration enforcement activities. Legal experts argue that Parias’ case illustrates a critical shift in local advocacy, underscoring the influence of grassroots journalism against more traditional news platforms.
