Details Emerge Following Incident Involving ICE Officer in Austin
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently provided new information regarding a Venezuelan man who was hospitalized after reportedly being shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Austin, Texas.
According to the DHS’s announcement on Sunday, the man involved was an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, who had already received a final order of removal and had entered the U.S. during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
“The illegal alien’s condition is stable, and he is in federal custody pending removal,” the DHS stated on X.
Both ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting, as indicated by the DHS.
Footage shared online captured the scene, showing the man’s vehicle with evident damage on the passenger side. One clip depicted an officer approaching the vehicle as the driver tried to escape, with several gunshots heard. However, the exact trigger for the shooting remains unclear based on that footage.
According to reports, a crowd gathered at the location, holding anti-ICE protest signs. It’s not yet clear how many people were arrested for obstructing streets or for other issues during the demonstration.
The man has been identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez by reports. His attorney contends that he entered the country through legal means.
“We are actively working to obtain additional information and clarify the circumstances surrounding the matter. We do not want to speculate or provide information that has not yet been confirmed. What we do understand is that he previously held a valid work permit and that, based on the information available to us, he entered the United States lawfully,” stated the attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson confirmed that ICE is involved in the incident, while stating that the Austin Police Department was not. The mayor expressed his frustration on X, saying he is “very angry and extremely disappointed” by the incident.
“I am very angry and extremely disappointed that a person was shot on the streets of Austin by ICE,” he wrote on social media.
He also mentioned that the Austin Police Chief, Lisa Davis, reached out to the Texas Rangers for assistance in the investigation.
In a statement on Monday, Chief Davis encouraged any witnesses to come forward and share any evidence from the scene.
“APD respects the right of people to peacefully assemble, speak, protest and make their voices heard. Our responsibility during those demonstrations is public safety,” she noted. “But be clear: Acts of violence toward our officers or others will result in an arrest. We will protect those exercising their rights, our officers and the broader community.”
