A federal immigration agent shot and injured a man in Austin, who was reported to be in serious but stable condition on Sunday afternoon, according to city officials.
The incident occurred following a brief foot chase, as detailed by Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis during a news conference. The individual, struck by a single gunshot to the upper torso, was quickly transported to the hospital for treatment.
By 5:30 PM, a significant presence of federal, state, and local law enforcement was observed at the scene, with police vehicles and yellow tape cordoning off a large section of the median under the overpass as well as the parking lot of a nearby strip mall. Some officers were equipped with riot gear.
Across the street, over a hundred demonstrators gathered, brandishing Mexican flags and holding signs to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while chanting “shame” at the law enforcement officers present.
During the press briefing, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his anger regarding the shooting but noted that he was not surprised, especially given the recent uptick in immigration operations within the city.
Chief Davis stated that the investigation into the shooting would be conducted by Austin police and Texas Rangers, alongside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for immigration enforcement.
“If there’s nothing wrong with that, they should welcome an investigation,” the mayor remarked. “A proper investigation will only bolster credibility. Austinites deserve to know the truth, and I’m glad that Austin will play a role in this inquiry.”
City officials confirmed they were unaware of the nationality or name of the man who was shot, only stating that he was an adult.
U.S. Representative Greg Casar, D-Austin, who attended the press conference, advocated for external agencies to oversee the investigation, citing concerns over ICE’s transparency in similar incidents elsewhere.
“It is appropriate for this community to demand independence, transparency, and accountability,” he stated. “This pattern of behavior is troubling and must be addressed.”
This incident follows another shooting involving an ICE officer that resulted in the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston on July 7, with investigations into that case still ongoing.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
