ICE agent shoots immigrant in Austin

A federal ICE agent shot a Venezuelan immigrant during a traffic stop near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard in Austin on Sunday. The man was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center in stable condition.

Immediate protests and police response

Protesters gathered at the scene to denounce ICE violence, blocking traffic. Texas law enforcement deployed pepper balls and detained multiple protesters to disperse the crowds.

Mayor questions ICE's conduct

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, a Democrat, expressed anger about the shooting and said he was unsurprised by ICE's involvement, citing concerns about how the agency conducts its operations.

“I'm very angry about this.”

Calls for independent investigation

Texas Democrats including Senate candidate James Talarico demanded independent probes and public release of all footage, arguing that previous incidents show ICE cannot be trusted to report all facts.

“Previous incidents have shown that this agency cannot be trusted to report all the facts.”

Congressional briefing requested

Rep. Greg Casar wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and acting ICE director David Venturella requesting a congressional briefing on September 28 and demanding release of all body and dash camera footage.

Victim identified as Wilber Garces Perez

The man shot was identified as 28-year-old Venezuelan Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, who had a work permit, entered legally, and was delivering for DoorDash when the shooting occurred.

Victim taken into ICE custody

Four hours after being shot, Perez was taken into ICE custody and transferred to the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, over 100 miles away, with a bullet still lodged in his body and no pain medication.

“[He] still has the bullet lodged in his body. He's received no pain medication and had to sleep on the floor.”

ICE removes detainees from public database

ICE stopped publicly revealing where it holds thousands of detainees subject to final deportation orders, with thousands of names removed from the Online Detainee Locator System as of September 15.

DHS disputes victim's legal status

A DHS spokesperson claimed Perez illegally entered the country under the Biden administration and had a final removal order, contradicting his attorney's account that he entered legally with a work permit.

Part of broader pattern of violence

The Austin shooting follows a July incident in Houston where an ICE agent killed 52-year-old Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop, part of Trump's strict anti-immigrant enforcement agenda.

Concerns about witness disappearing

Rep. Casar warned that if ICE deports Perez, the key witness to the shooting disappears, calling for his protection and proper medical care.

“If ICE deports him, the key witness to their shooting disappears.”