ICE Agent Shoots Man in Austin as Democrats Demand Independent Probe and Protesters Gather
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and wounded a man during an encounter in North Austin on Sunday, prompting swift condemnation from Democratic officials, demands for an independent investigation and the release of body-camera footage, and protests at the scene.
The shooting occurred around 12:56 p.m. near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard under a highway overpass. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the ICE agent fired during a brief foot pursuit after a traffic stop. Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz reported the man was shot once in the torso and taken to Dell Seton Medical Center in serious but stable condition. Austin police were not involved in the operation.
Attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch identified the injured man as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, a Venezuelan national. She said he had previously held a valid work permit, entered the United States lawfully, and was making a DoorDash delivery at the time. Garces Perez called his wife from the vehicle while “yelling in pain.” He was released from the hospital around 4:30 p.m. into ICE custody; his family said they did not know his location Sunday evening. Lincoln-Goldfinch described his wife as devastated and kept in the dark. Some federal sources, cited in other reports, described him as having a final order of removal.
A blue Toyota Corolla at the scene showed damage to the passenger-side door and apparent bullet holes. Austin City Council member Mike Siegel said an ICE vehicle rammed the car before the agent exited and fired multiple times. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers received a call from ICE about a pursuit shortly before the shooting.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, a Democrat, said he was “very angry” but “not surprised” given recent ICE operations in the city. He insisted Austin police and the Texas Rangers participate to provide “clear, third-party eyes,” arguing that ICE investigating itself would lack credibility. “Austinites have a right to know what happened and a right to feel safe in their city,” Watson said.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat who represents the area, called the incident “the horror” arriving in Austin and demanded a full independent investigation, immediate public release of unedited body-camera and other footage, preservation of evidence, and a briefing from DHS by Sept. 28. In a letter to Homeland Security officials, Casar also called for the agent to be suspended and remain in Austin during the probe. Other Texas Democrats, including state Rep. James Talarico and Vikki Goodwin, echoed calls for outside investigators.
Dozens of protesters, later growing to about 100, gathered at the site waving flags of Mexico and Guatemala, banging drums, and holding signs reading “Abolish ICE.” Some chanted and honked in support as passing cars went by. Advocates described it as a rapid-response demonstration against the Trump administration’s intensified deportation campaign. The shooting is the latest involving ICE agents in Texas this year, following a fatal incident in Houston. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately issue detailed public comments. 17GEN4.com
Sources
The New York Times: One Person Shot During Encounter With ICE in Austin
Reuters: ICE agent wounds man in Austin, Texas, shooting, city officials say
The Guardian: ICE agent shoots and wounds man at traffic stop in Austin, Texas
Texas Tribune: ICE officer shoots, injures man in Austin
Austin American-Statesman live updates and follow-ups
Rep. Greg Casar press release and letter: Congressman Casar Demands Immediate, Independent Investigation
BBC, NPR, CNN, Associated Press and local outlets including KXAN and CBS Texas
ICE Shoots Man in Austin; Democrats Demand Probe as Protests Erupt
An ICE agent wounded Venezuelan national Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in North Austin after a traffic stop. Mayor Watson and Rep. Casar called for an independent investigation and bodycam footage as protesters gathered at the scene.
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