U.S. Immigration Agent Shoots Venezuelan, Sparking Protests

A federal immigration agent shot and wounded a 28‑year‑old Venezuelan man in North Austin, Texas, last Sunday, triggering protests and demands for transparency and a thorough investigation. The incident, which involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), put the term in the spotlight as users searched to understand what happened on the scene and its repercussions.

The incident in North Austin

The shooting occurred near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard. The injured man, identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, is in stable condition, according to his attorney, Kate Lincoln‑Goldfinch. Authorities recorded that ICE requested assistance early Sunday afternoon during a chase involving a blue car. Before Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers arrived, an immigration agent allegedly fired a weapon and wounded Garces Perez.

Garces Perez’s lawyer said he was hit once in the torso and that the bullet remains lodged in his back. She also reported that he is being held at an ICE detention facility in Pearsall, Texas. According to Lincoln‑Goldfinch, Garces Perez was transferred to the Pearsall detention center on Monday morning, still with the bullet lodged and without pain medication. She demands that he be moved to a hospital for additional medical care and that the body‑camera footage of the shooting be released immediately.

Conflicting accounts of what happened

There are divergent reports about the shooting’s dynamics and Garces Perez’s immigration status. DPS confirmed that an immigration agent discharged a weapon. Garces Perez’s attorney, however, presented a different version. She said Garces Perez was making a DoorDash delivery when an unmarked black truck struck him on the side. Unaware it was ICE, he turned around, and the truck pursued and hit him again. According to her, "the agents got out and shot him in the neck and pulled him from the car." The lawyer also disputed ICE’s claim of a foot chase, asserting she has "video evidence that no foot chase occurred."

Regarding immigration status, Kate Lincoln‑Goldfinch stated that Garces Perez is a Venezuelan who entered the United States legally, held a valid work permit, and was seeking asylum. She mentioned he had changed his address and received a deportation notice without his knowledge. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, contradicted this, saying in a statement that Garces Perez entered the country illegally, has a final removal order, and is in federal custody awaiting deportation.

Reactions and calls for investigation

The shooting sparked protests on Sunday night, with demonstrators blocking a busy intersection in North Austin near the incident site. Three people were arrested during the protest, according to Austin Police Department (APD) officials.

• Juan Proano of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) said, "It’s time to hold DHS accountable for its actions. It’s time for oversight. It’s time to reform ICE down to the agency’s foundation, and if that fails, it’s time to abolish ICE."
• U.S. Representative Greg Casar (D‑Austin) joined calls for Garces Perez to be transferred out of ICE custody for medical care. Casar declared, "I am demanding, and Congress is sending a very clear message to the ICE chief and Secretary Mullen that Wilber Garces must be released for medical treatment and should not be in Pearsall. He must be released now." Casar also questioned ICE’s credibility, saying, "Clearly ICE has no credibility left. We know it lies and we have seen that demonstrated repeatedly."

Multiple agencies are investigating the shooting. Austin police chief Lisa Davis posted a message on Monday about the APD investigation, emphasizing the importance of evidence. "People will have strong feelings about what happened. People will ask questions, and they should. But in determining what occurred in this specific incident, we must let evidence—not rumors, speculation, or incomplete information—guide us."

Information provided by WEAR‑TV.