A man shot by an ICE agent in North Austin has been identified as Wilbur Rafael Garces Perez, according to an attorney representing his family. Perez, who was engaged in a DoorDash delivery at the time of the incident on September 20, has been confirmed to be in stable condition and remains in federal custody, facing potential removal from the United States.
Homeland Security Investigations has reported that Perez, originally from Venezuela, entered the country illegally and had a final order of removal against him.
The events leading to the shooting remain unclear, but it is known that a federal immigration agent shot Perez, prompting an investigation involving the Austin Police Department, Texas Rangers, and HSI. Emergency crews were alerted to the shooting around 12:56 p.m. and arrived within minutes, finding Perez with a gunshot wound. He was subsequently transported to a local trauma center in serious but stable condition.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that the shooting involved an ICE agent, while emphasizing that local police were not involved in the incident itself. Officers were present to manage traffic and secure the area around Research Boulevard and Anderson Square. Davis noted that preliminary information indicated a brief foot pursuit prior to the shooting, but further details were still pending.
The shooting has sparked significant public reaction, with protests erupting shortly after the incident. Demonstrators clashed with immigration agents, leading to the deployment of tear gas. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his anger over the shooting, calling for a thorough and independent investigation involving the Austin Police Department to ensure transparency and accountability.
Watson stated, “Austinites have a right to know what happened,” and questioned the credibility of an investigation led solely by ICE. The Travis County District Attorney’s office echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for an independent investigation and requesting cooperation from federal authorities to access evidence related to the case.
Moving forward, Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the FBI, will lead the investigation, while the Austin Police Department and Texas Rangers will conduct their own inquiries into the matter.
