ICE agent shoots and wounds man in Austin, Texas, officials say

ICE Agent Shoots Wounded Man in Austin During Traffic Stop

A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and wounded a 28-year-old Venezuelan delivery driver in Austin, Texas, on Sunday afternoon during what officials described as a traffic stop. The incident, which occurred near Anderson Square on the city’s north side, has sparked local outrage and renewed scrutiny of ICE’s enforcement practices.

The victim, identified by his attorney as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was struck once in the torso and taken to Dell Seton Medical Center, where he was reported in serious but stable condition. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that city officers were not involved in the operation or the shooting, which took place around 12:55 p.m. local time. Bystander footage and witness accounts describe a chaotic scene, with federal agents arriving in tactical gear and a blue Toyota Corolla bearing bullet damage.

Garces Perez’s lawyer, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, alleged that her client had no criminal history and had entered the U.S. lawfully with a valid work permit. She also claimed that ICE officials barred the victim’s family from the hospital and later transferred him into federal custody. A law enforcement source, however, told CNN that Garces Perez had a final order for removal, though Lincoln-Goldfinch disputed this assertion.

Investigation Dispute Over ICE’s Role

The shooting has ignited a conflict over who will investigate the incident. Austin police and the Texas Rangers have initiated their own inquiries, but local officials have expressed skepticism about ICE’s ability to self-policing. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called for an independent probe, stating that “it would not be appropriate” for ICE to conduct the investigation itself. He emphasized that the city’s police department should serve as “clear, third-party eyes” in the process.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), an ICE division, is also involved, though federal agencies have maintained control of the scene. The dispute echoes past controversies, including the 2025 killing of Ruben Ray Martinez, a U.S. citizen, by an HSI agent, and the 2026 shootings of Colombian national Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero and Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, both during traffic stops. In those cases, investigators faced criticism for withholding body-camera footage and failing to hold officers accountable.

Representative Greg Casar, a Democrat representing parts of Austin, condemned the incident as part of a broader pattern of “ICE’s surge of officers” in the region. He called for an immediate, independent investigation and urged the Department of Homeland Security to brief Congress by 28 September. “People in the community don’t know all the facts, but people are hurting and upset because they see how ICE has shot and, in some cases, even killed people with impunity,” he said.

Protests and Public Outcry

Protesters gathered near the shooting site, carrying signs such as “ICE Nazi” and “Nobody is Safe.” Bystanders captured footage of federal agents in tactical gear refusing to answer questions from residents. Nedavia Bolaños, a local resident, described the scene as “a nightmare” and expressed shock at the lack of immediate medical aid from federal officers. “I’ve never seen this kind of stuff,” she said.

The victim’s family has remained in the dark about his whereabouts. Lincoln-Goldfinch reported that hospital staff later informed her that ICE had taken Garces Perez from the facility around 4:30 p.m. She warned that he might not be receiving adequate medical care and feared deportation could “make this go away.”

The incident follows a surge in ICE enforcement this summer, which saw over 50,000 arrests monthly—its highest rate in history. Critics argue that the agency’s tactics have escalated tensions, particularly in communities of color and among immigrant populations.

Historical Context and Unanswered Questions

The shooting in Austin is the latest in a series of controversies involving ICE. In 2025, an HSI agent killed Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, after a car chase, prompting a grand jury to decline indictment despite body-camera footage suggesting the agent’s account was inaccurate. In 2026, the deaths of Durán Guerrero and Salgado Araujo, both during traffic stops, led to calls for reform and revelations about the mental health histories of the officers involved.

Questions remain about the federal agent’s actions and potential legal consequences. Austin officials have not disclosed the agent’s current location, citing concerns that ICE officers involved in similar incidents have left states after shootings. Mayor Watson expressed hope that the agent “would not leave the city. Certainly not leave the state.”

The next developments will depend on the outcome of the investigation and whether local authorities can assert control over the process. For now, the victim’s family and community await answers, while advocates continue to demand accountability for ICE’s actions.