A Los Angeles high school teacher and anti-ICE activist made alarming remarks this week following the shooting of a U.S. marshal and an illegal immigrant during a federal enforcement operation, as reported by Fox News.
Ron Gochez, a history teacher at Dr. Maya Angelou Community High School and spokesperson for the activist group Unión del Barrio, spoke at a Tuesday news conference condemning immigration enforcement.
His comments came just hours after the incident in which both a U.S. marshal and a suspect were shot.
“Don’t forget where you’re standing. This is South Central Los Angeles,” Gochez said.
“They [ICE] are not the only ones with guns in this city. Don’t forget that. And I don’t say that because I’m calling for violence; I’m saying that because the people have every right to defend themselves against masked, unidentified gunmen.”
“The people have every right to defend themselves,” he added. “That’s not violent. That’s intelligent.”
The statement drew national attention as law enforcement agencies confirmed the details of the earlier shooting. Federal authorities identified the suspect as 44-year-old Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Mexican national living illegally in the United States.
Officials said Parias rammed his Toyota Camry into multiple law enforcement vehicles before agents opened fire.
A federal agent was shot in the hand, and Parias was struck in the elbow.
Both were hospitalized for treatment and are expected to recover. Federal prosecutors said Parias — known online as “Richard L.A.” on TikTok — tried to flee by spinning his tires and fishtailing his vehicle, posing an immediate danger to agents.
A US Marshall and an illegal criminal have been shot. The ICE officer fired at the illegal criminal who was ramming the ICE vehicles, and the bullets ricocheted and hit a US Marshall in the hand and the illegal criminal in the elbow. pic.twitter.com/4kasbtukNg
— Arkadalo™ (@Arkadalo) October 21, 2025
Protesters later gathered outside the hospital, shouting at medical staff as both Parias and the agent received care.
The Department of Homeland Security condemned recent rhetoric encouraging violence or resistance against immigration enforcement.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said such comments from activist groups and sanctuary city politicians have led to an increase in violent incidents targeting law enforcement.
“These are the consequences of conduct and rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and activists who urge illegal aliens to resist arrest,” McLaughlin told Fox News Digital.
“Resisting arrest puts the safety of illegal aliens, law enforcement, and the public at risk. Our officers are facing a more than 1,000% increase in assaults against them, including vehicle rammings by illegal aliens.”
Gochez’s remarks came as California officials prepared to enact a new law banning state and federal officers from wearing masks during enforcement operations.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill in September, and it is set to take effect in January. The Trump administration has called the measure illegal and vowed not to comply.
During the same news conference, Gochez accused federal agents of using “brutal violence” and “repression” against immigrant communities. “It’s not enough for them to kidnap our people. Now, we are seeing on multiple occasions … that they are shooting us with live rounds,” he said.
Earlier this year, the California Teachers Association honored Gochez with the Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta “Si Se Puede” Human Rights Award for his advocacy on behalf of immigrant families.
