ICE Officer Involved Shooting in Austin

Officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have confirmed that a Venezuelan man was shot by an ICE officer in Austin on Sunday. This incident occurred after the man, who entered the U.S. illegally during the Biden Border Crisis, attempted to escape from an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer during a targeted law enforcement operation.

The investigation into this officer-involved shooting is being led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI. It happened in the northern part of Austin in the afternoon. Authorities stated that the Venezuelan man had a final order of removal from an immigration judge and was specifically being pursued for arrest and deportation. After receiving medical attention, he is now stable and remains in ICE custody.

Breitbart Texas sought more details from DHS about the shooting. Various photos and videos taken at the scene depict damage to the passenger side of the man’s vehicle. In one video shared by Breitbart Texas, the officer approaches the vehicle as the driver attempts to flee, with the officer appearing to fire multiple shots. It’s unclear what circumstances led to the officer’s decision to shoot.

Following the shooting, the man drove a short distance before stopping at an intersection. Another video shows him sitting calmly in the driver’s seat while the ICE officer seems to be on the phone, likely calling for medical help. DHS has not clarified how many shots were fired by the officer or how many times the man was hit.

Interestingly, it appears that the ICE officer was not equipped with a body camera right after the incident. An ICE official mentioned that the agency is gradually rolling out newly funded body camera devices. After the shooting, some other ICE officers on the scene were observed wearing body cameras.

Almost immediately after the shooting, a crowd gathered in Austin with printed anti-ICE protest signs. It’s not entirely clear, though, how many protesters were arrested for blocking streets or for other infractions during the demonstrations.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a developing story. More information may arise that could alter or add to the details contained in this article.