An ICE officer shot and seriously wounded a Venezuelan food delivery worker in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, according to his lawyer. Wilber Rafael Garcés Perez, 28, was in serious but stable condition after being shot in the torso during a vehicle pursuit, officials said. The incident has sparked outrage over ICE’s use of force and raised questions about transparency.
The shooting occurred around 1 p.m. in North Austin during a vehicle pursuit involving a blue Toyota Corolla, according to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Sheridan Nolen. A social media video verified by NBC News shows tires screeching, followed by at least three gunshots as a person approached a stopped sedan. The man, who was delivering food for DoorDash, was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center, where his wife was reportedly escorted from the premises by officers, according to attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch.
The Shooting and Immediate Aftermath
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz confirmed Garcés Perez was in serious but stable condition
after the incident. A DHS spokesperson stated he was in federal custody pending removal, alleging he had entered the U.S. illegally under the Biden administration and had a final order of removal. Lincoln-Goldfinch, however, identified him as an asylum seeker who arrived via a parole program, citing a call from Garcés Perez’s wife that ended abruptly after he screamed in agony.
Authorities described the scene as chaotic. DPS troopers arrived after the shooting and assisted in treating the driver of the Toyota Corolla, though details about the ICE officer’s actions remain unclear. The DHS has not disclosed whether the officer was wearing a body camera or if Garcés Perez had a criminal history beyond immigration violations. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called the incident noting that ICE’s actions cause me to be unhappy and angry.
Legal and Political Reactions
Protesters gathered at the scene, chanting anti-ICE slogans in English and Spanish, while authorities deployed non-lethal weapons to disperse the crowd. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, demanded an independent investigation and the release of body camera footage, demanding truth, transparency, and accountability.
The incident has reignited debates over ICE’s accountability. A statement from the DHS emphasized that Homeland Security Investigations, with FBI support, would lead the probe.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigations
Key questions remain unresolved. The exact circumstances of the pursuit, the ICE officer’s justification for using lethal force, and whether Garcés Perez posed an immediate threat are still under investigation. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis described the incident as a small foot pursuit
and confirmed her department was on the scene, though she did not clarify why ICE was involved.
Local officials have called for clarity. Meanwhile, Garcés Perez’s family awaits answers. The main focus now is figuring out how and where he is, that he’s OK, and then we’ll be looking for justice,
Lincoln-Goldfinch said.
The case underscores tensions between immigration enforcement and civil liberties. For now, the shooting leaves a community grappling with the fallout of a confrontation that unfolded on its streets.