Man shot in ICE confrontation was a 'respected and admired' citizen journalist with TikTok following

The first video “Richard LA” posted to TikTok appeared on Aug.

The first video “Richard LA” posted to TikTok appeared on Aug. 21, 2024.

“Accident at 27th and San Pedro,” he wrote in Spanish under video clips showing two damaged cars and paramedics pushing a man on a gurney into an ambulance. “2 people were taken to the hospital.”

“Richard LA” was actually Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, a father of two living in southern Los Angeles. His TikTok feed soon filled with similar clips. A fire at a home on 36th and Trinity streets. A car crash on 29th Street and Maple Avenue.

His audience grew steadily over the ensuing months. And his clips were consumed even more widely when he began to focus his camera on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids roiling Los Angeles. Multiple videos he posted this month got more than 50,000 views.

“He has risen to become this very credible, respected and admired citizen journalist,” said Angelina Dumarot, a spokesperson for Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price. “He did it with a lot of love and a lot of passion and in a very courageous way.”