The post ICE Agent Shoots and Wounds Venezuelan DoorDash Driver in Austin, Sparking Protests first appeared on Crafting Your Home.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and wounded a 28-year-old Venezuelan man in Austin, Texas, on Sunday during a federal immigration operation, according to local officials. The man was identified by immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, whom she said she represents through his family.
Austin-Travis County emergency officials said the man suffered a gunshot wound to the torso and was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center in serious but stable condition. He was later released from the hospital and transferred into federal custody, according to officials and his attorney.
The shooting occurred shortly before 1 p.m. near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard in North Austin, an area where city officials have recently reported increased ICE activity.
Officials and attorney give different accounts of the encounter
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation, with federal officials and the victim’s attorney offering different descriptions of what happened.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said preliminary information indicated that the incident involved a brief pursuit on foot following a vehicle stop. She said Austin police officers were not involved in the operation or the shooting and that the department had limited information from federal authorities.
Lincoln-Goldfinch has described a different sequence of events. She said ICE agents surrounded Perez’s vehicle and fired into the car, though she acknowledged she had not personally confirmed every detail with her client. Investigators have not independently verified those allegations.
ICE officials have said the agent fired after being confronted during the operation and described the shooting as a self-defense incident. Federal investigators have not publicly released a full timeline explaining the events immediately before the shooting.
DHS says man had final removal order; attorney disputes parts of account
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, said Perez was a Venezuelan national who entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration and had a final order of removal. DHS said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the FBI, is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Perez’s attorney has disputed parts of the government’s description. Lincoln-Goldfinch has said she believes Perez entered the United States legally. However, she has also said she has not been able to independently confirm all details of his immigration history because she has not yet had full access to him.
The differing accounts of Perez’s immigration status have not been resolved publicly.
After Perez was released from the hospital, his attorney said he was transferred into ICE custody. She also said Perez’s wife initially struggled to get information about his condition and location.
Austin officials call for outside involvement in investigation
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said he wanted local authorities involved in reviewing the incident, arguing that additional independent oversight would improve public confidence.
Watson said Austin police and the Texas Rangers should have a role in examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Federal authorities have not announced that local agencies will lead the investigation.
Several Austin City Council members also called for outside review, saying they lacked confidence in an investigation conducted only within federal agencies.
Congressman requests investigation
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, whose congressional district includes Austin, called for an independent investigation and wrote to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin requesting preservation of evidence and a review of the shooting.
Casar has also questioned whether Perez was the intended target of the operation, but authorities have not publicly provided a complete explanation of the operation’s objective.
Protesters gather after shooting
Following news of the shooting, protesters gathered near the scene in Austin. Demonstrators called for transparency and accountability as federal and local officials debated how to investigate the incident.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said it responded after receiving a request for assistance related to a vehicle pursuit but arrived after the shooting had occurred, according to officials.
A dispute over transparency and oversight
The Austin shooting has also highlighted a recurring issue in immigration enforcement cases: the relationship between federal agencies and local governments.
ICE operations are conducted under federal authority, meaning local governments generally have limited control over how immigration enforcement actions are carried out. However, local officials often become involved afterward when incidents affect residents, emergency services, public safety concerns, or community relations.
The disagreement among officials is not only about the shooting itself but also about who should provide oversight. Federal agencies have said their internal investigative processes are designed to review officer conduct, while some local leaders have argued that outside involvement is necessary to increase public confidence.
The debate reflects a broader national discussion about how federal immigration enforcement actions should be reviewed when they result in injuries, arrests, or use-of-force incidents.
Investigation remains ongoing
Authorities have not publicly released all available evidence, including a complete timeline, video evidence, or additional details about the interaction between Perez and the ICE officer.
HSI, with FBI assistance, is investigating the shooting. Local officials and Perez’s attorney have called for additional transparency as the review continues.
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