LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A federal judge has dismissed an indictment against a TikTok streamer shot by a federal agent in October in South Los Angeles.
The judge says Carlitos Ricardo Parias, who goes by Richard LA online, was denied access to his lawyers while being held in detention.
He also cites the government’s failure to meet discovery deadlines, including the timely release of body camera footage of the shooting.
ORIGINAL REPORT: TikToker shot by federal agents, deputy US marshal hit by ricochet bullet during South LA operation
A TikToker was shot by federal agents during an immigration operation in South Los Angeles. A deputy U.S. marshal was injured by a ricochet bullet.
The shooting happened in the 400 block of East 20th Street near Trinity Street around 8:52 a.m. Federal officials said it began as a targeted enforcement traffic stop on an undocumented immigrant who had previously avoided capture.
Agents accused Parias of ramming his car into their vehicles after they boxed him in, but video from the scene raises questions about their claims.
In a statement back in October, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said Parias “weaponized his vehicle and began ramming the law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee. Fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement, our officers followed their training and fired defensive shots.”
Parias was accused of ramming his Toyota Camry into law enforcement vehicles in front of and behind him after they boxed him in. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Parias spun the car’s tires, spewing smoke and debris into the air and causing the car to fishtail, “causing agents to worry for their safety.”
Essayli said an agent broke into his side window, but it wasn’t enough to subdue Parias. That’s when an agent opened fire.
Parias was shot once in the elbow, and a deputy U.S. marshal was shot in the hand by a ricochet bullet, according to DHS.
His trial was supposed to start on Tuesday. He was charged with assault on a federal officer.
The judge dismissed the indictment with prejudice, preventing prosecutors from refiling the same charges.
But, Parias could remain in detention as his immigration case moves forward.
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