A 28-year-old Venezuelan man was shot and wounded by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, September 20, after a traffic-related encounter in North Austin, according to local officials.
The man, identified by his attorney as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was struck in the torso and taken to a local hospital. Austin officials said he was in serious but stable condition following the shooting. His attorney later said he was released from the hospital into what was believed to be ICE custody.
The incident has prompted calls for greater transparency and an independent investigation as federal and local authorities examine what happened.
Shooting Occurred After Traffic Stop in North Austin
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the shooting happened shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday after a traffic stop and a brief pursuit on foot. Austin police officers were not involved in the shooting, officials said.
Perez’s attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, said her client was working as a DoorDash delivery driver when he encountered immigration officers. DoorDash also confirmed that he was making a delivery at the time.
Details surrounding the moments before the shooting remain under investigation. Authorities have not released a complete account of the encounter, and officials have said the initial information remains preliminary.
The Department of Homeland Security said its Homeland Security Investigations division is leading the investigation with assistance from the FBI.
Dispute Over Perez’s Immigration Status
Federal authorities have described Perez as a Venezuelan national who entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration and was subject to a final removal order.
His attorney has disputed that account, saying information available to the family indicated that Perez entered the United States legally. She said she did not know his current immigration status.
The differing accounts have added to calls for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and Perez’s immigration case.
After receiving treatment, Perez was reportedly taken into federal custody. His attorney said his family initially had difficulty obtaining information about his condition and whereabouts.
Austin Officials Call for Independent Investigation
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called for local and state authorities to have a role in reviewing the shooting. He said Austin residents deserve clear information about what happened and questioned whether an investigation conducted solely within the federal immigration agency would provide sufficient independent oversight.
Texas Department of Public Safety personnel and Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation, according to authorities.
The shooting also drew protesters to the area where the incident occurred, reflecting broader tensions surrounding immigration enforcement operations in Austin and across the United States.
Officials have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that additional details, including the precise sequence of events and the actions of the federal officer involved, remain to be established.
