AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and wounded a man in Austin, Texas, on Sunday afternoon, prompting immediate protests from anti-ICE activists. The man was identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old from Venezuela, who was reported to be in serious but stable condition following the incident, which occurred after a traffic stop.
According to local officials, the shooting took place on the north side of the capital city. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not participate in the subsequent news conference and failed to respond to multiple requests for information regarding the incident. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis clarified that city police officers were not involved in the operation or the shooting.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, a Democrat, expressed his desire for the city’s police to participate in the investigation, emphasizing the need for "clear, third-party eyes" to enhance credibility and ensure the safety of Austin residents. The chief confirmed that not many facts were available shortly after the incident, but assured that her department’s special investigation unit was on the scene.
At approximately 12:50 p.m., ICE requested assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety in a vehicle pursuit. However, by the time DPS troopers arrived, the shooting had already occurred. An attorney representing Garces Perez's family stated that he had no known criminal history and was believed to be free from a final order of removal from the United States, although his current immigration status remains unclear.
The man’s wife faced difficulties receiving updates about his condition until around 7 p.m., when she was told that her husband had been released into ICE custody after several hours in the hospital. The attorney criticized the lack of communication, stating that "no one bothered to update her." There was confusion over whether Garces Perez remained hospitalized or had been transferred elsewhere while in ICE custody.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a crowd of around 100 protesters gathered at the scene, expressing their anger towards law enforcement. Protesters held signs with slogans such as "Nobody is safe" and "ICE Nazi," while some shouted at officers equipped with riot shields. Mayor Watson raised concerns about the whereabouts of the involved federal agent, hoping that they would not leave the city or state following the shooting.
The Travis County District Attorney’s office requested the inclusion of local police and prosecutors in the investigation and called for the federal government to cooperate by providing access to evidence related to the incident. Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Greg Casar, who represents parts of Austin, urged for transparency in the investigation, stating that the situation was unacceptable, and reiterated that ICE should reduce its operations to ensure community safety.
This shooting incident comes amid a notable surge in ICE enforcement across the country, which has resulted in a record high of over 50,000 arrests per month in July and August, the highest numbers in the agency's history. This escalation follows other incidents in July, where an ICE officer fatally shot two individuals in separate events, raising concerns about the agency's operational methods and accountability.
The increasing scrutiny and criticism of ICE's enforcement practices highlight the contentious nature of immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly in communities where protests have become a common response to government actions perceived as unjust.
