Man shot by ICE officer files $25 million lawsuit against federal government

Carlos Jimenez, a US citizen and father of three from Ontario, California, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government for $25 million. The suit alleges that he was wrongfully shot and arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in October 2025, followed by what his legal team describes as malicious prosecution.

The incident occurred around 7am on 30 October 2025. Jimenez was driving to his job at a food pantry when he encountered ICE agents conducting an operation. According to his complaint filed in federal court, Jimenez approached the officers calmly to inform them that children would soon arrive at a nearby bus stop. An officer identified as Eusebio Ortiz pointed a firearm at Jimenez’s face, cursed at him, and threatened to shoot if he did not leave, based on audio recorded by the officer’s radio.

Jimenez attempted a three-point turn to navigate around vehicles blocking his path. During this maneuver, Officer Ortiz fired multiple gunshots into the car without warning. Jimenez was struck in the back and right shoulder. The lawsuit states that no officer was in his direct path and that there was neither reasonable suspicion nor probable cause for the stop, threat, or shooting.

Following the shooting, FBI agents tracked Jimenez to a hospital. The suit claims they interfered with his medical care by pulling a nurse away and preventing him from speaking with staff. Agents removed Jimenez from his bed, secured him in a waist restraint, and transported him back to the scene for an interrogation while a bullet remained lodged in his body. The complaint notes that while Jimenez was bleeding and vomiting in the agent’s van, officers told him not to ruin their vehicle.

At the time of the incident, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that Jimenez had attempted to run officers over by reversing without stopping and that the officer fired defensive shots. The Department of Justice subsequently charged Jimenez with assault on a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon. However, the lawsuit argues that the criminal charges were fabricated, noting that the complaint lacked any statement from the officer claiming he felt endangered.

The suit further alleges that the FBI falsely claimed two neighbors witnessed the incident and stated Jimenez’s vehicle had enough room to pull forward. When interviewed by legal counsel, both witnesses denied making those statements, saying they only learned of the shooting through news reports. In May, a judge ordered the government to produce records of agents’ communications. Prosecutors then agreed to a diversion agreement, which allowed the charges to be dropped in late October if Jimenez met certain conditions.

The lawsuit contends that prosecutors sought to avoid disclosing communications and prevent the deposition of the FBI agent who allegedly fabricated witness statements. The criminal charges were formally dismissed last week. Jimenez is now seeking damages for lost wages and medical expenses, noting that bullet fragments remain near his lung. The suit cites excessive force, assault, and false arrest as the basis for the claim.

The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment, directing inquiries to the Justice Department. The FBI also declined to comment. Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesperson for the Justice Department in Los Angeles, stated in an email that Jimenez could have taken the case to trial but requested a diversion agreement instead. Jimenez’s case is similar to that of Francisco Longoria, who was shot by ICE during a traffic stop last year and later had charges dropped. Since last spring, the Justice Department in Los Angeles has prosecuted 113 people for crimes against immigration officers. A review found that as of mid-September, 33 of those cases had charges dismissed and nine resulted in acquittals.