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An Austin ICE shooting left a Venezuelan food delivery driver wounded Sunday, Sept. 20. The shooting happened during a federal immigration operation in North Austin, prompting protests and demands for an independent investigation.
The driver’s attorney identified him as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28. DoorDash confirmed he was completing a delivery when the shooting occurred.
Austin ICE Shooting Followed Reported Pursuit
The shooting happened shortly before 1 p.m. near Research Boulevard and Anderson Square. Texas Department of Public Safety officials said ICE requested help pursuing a blue Toyota Corolla around 12:50 p.m.
DPS troopers arrived after the ICE officer had fired. Troopers then helped provide medical care, according to The Texas Tribune.
Austin-Travis County EMS found Garces Perez with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Paramedics transported him to a trauma center in serious but stable condition.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said city officers did not participate in the immigration operation or shooting. She said preliminary information indicated a brief foot pursuit followed an initial traffic stop. However, authorities have not released a complete timeline.
Video obtained by ABC News showed Garces Perez handcuffed after the shooting. Speaking Spanish, he said the officer shot him because he did not “brake.” Authorities have not independently confirmed his explanation.
DHS Issues Statement on Austin ICE Shooting
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, said Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are leading the federal investigation.
DHS described Garces Perez as a Venezuelan who “illegally entered our country under the Biden administration and had a final order of removal.” The department said he was stable and in federal custody pending removal.
However, DHS did not explain why the officer fired. It also did not say whether Garces Perez had a weapon, whether an officer was injured or whether body-camera footage exists.
The involved officer’s identity has not been released. Neither the officer nor ICE has provided a separate public account of the shooting.
Attorney and Family Dispute Federal Account
Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch said Garces Perez entered the United States legally and had held a valid work permit. She initially disputed DHS’s claim that he had a final removal order. However, she later told the media that she did not yet know his current immigration status.
Lincoln-Goldfinch said Garces Perez called his wife from his car while in pain and told her he had been shot. His wife said he had no criminal history and had gone to work that morning to earn money.
The attorney said the family waited hours for information. Hospital representatives later told them Garces Perez had been released into ICE custody around 4:30 p.m.
“No one bothered to update her,” Lincoln-Goldfinch told the AP. She said the family wanted information about his medical care, condition and location.
DoorDash confirmed Garces Perez was completing a delivery. The company said it was investigating but had not released a detailed statement Monday morning.
Local Officials Seek Independent Investigation
Mayor Kirk Watson said he was “very angry and extremely disappointed” that ICE shot someone in Austin. He called for a complete and independent investigation involving Austin police.
Davis promised transparency and said the Austin Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit was reviewing the incident. The Texas Rangers are also expected to investigate.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office requested access to federal evidence. Prosecutors said the incident could involve violations of state law.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar also requested unedited video, preservation of evidence and accountability for any wrongdoing. As investigators review the Austin ICE shooting, city leaders and Garces Perez’s family continue seeking a full explanation of why the officer opened fire.