On September 20, 2026, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and wounded a 28-year-old Venezuelan man, identified as Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, during an enforcement operation in North Austin, Texas.

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What Happened During the Incident

• The Stop and Pursuit: According to statements from Garcés Pérez and his legal counsel, he was actively working as a DoorDash delivery driver when unmarked vehicles attempted to pull him over. He reported being sideswiped and attempting to make a U-turn to pull over safely, after which an agent exited a vehicle and opened fire. Texas Department of Public Safety officials noted that ICE had requested state trooper assistance during a pursuit of a blue Toyota Corolla shortly before shots were fired.

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• Injuries and Detention: Garcés Pérez suffered a gunshot wound to his upper torso/back, which fractured his clavicle. While initially taken to an Austin hospital in serious but stable condition, he was quickly discharged into federal custody and transferred to the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall. His attorney stated that the bullet remained lodged near his spine and raised concerns over the lack of adequate pain management and medical care following his rapid transfer.

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Conflicting Claims on Immigration Status

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Federal officials stated that Garcés Pérez entered the country unlawfully under the previous administration and was subject to an active final order of removal. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), supported by the FBI, opened an inquiry into the shooting.

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• Legal Counsel Representation: His defense attorneys disputed DHS’s characterization, asserting that he arrived in the United States through a humanitarian parole pathway, maintained an active work permit, and had no criminal history.

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Local Response and Public Reaction

• Austin Authorities: Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that local police were not part of the operation or the shooting, arriving afterward to secure the scene, direct traffic, and render first aid. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson voiced frustration over federal operations causing community disruption and called for an independent, multi-agency investigation that includes local authorities.

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• Community Demonstrations: Following the shooting, roughly 100 demonstrators gathered near the scene under Highway 183 and Anderson Square to protest federal immigration crackdowns, calling for transparency and the release of body-camera footage.