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LOS ANGELES () — A federal claim seeking $50 million has been filed on behalf of Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a social media influencer known online as “Richard LA,” one year after federal agents shot him while attempting to arrest him.
Civil rights attorney Denise Gastelum announced the claim Tuesday, describing it as a precursor to a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies involved in Parias’ arrest.
Parias, described by his attorneys as a popular online influencer and community journalist, was shot in the elbow during the arrest in October 2025 in South L.A. According to attorneys, the round ricocheted and also struck a U.S. marshal in the hand.
Gastelum criticized the actions of federal agents, saying, “What we see through body camera… is the indiscriminate attack by an ICE agent… shooting at a human being who’s in his vehicle with his hands up, simply asking, ‘Why are you detaining me?'”
Federal prosecutors charged Parias with assault on a federal officer, alleging he used his vehicle as a weapon. However, a federal judge dismissed the case late last year, finding that Parias, who was being held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, had been denied access to his attorneys.
In a statement, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said: “DHS strongly disagrees with decision to dismiss this case for assaulting a federal officer. All illegal aliens in detention have access to their lawyers. No one is denied access to counsel.”
The federal government is appealing the dismissal.
Parias, a Mexican national, remains in custody, which his attorneys contend is unlawful.
“He should not be detained… whatever criminal charges they brought against him have been dismissed,” said Carlos Jurado, Parias’ immigration attorney.
The appeal is now before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral arguments are scheduled for next Friday, with a decision expected sometime in November.
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