Overview
- The shooting took place during a foot pursuit in Austin on Sunday, Sept. 20, when an ICE agent fired at a 28‑year‑old delivery driver who was taken to hospital in grave but stable condition.
- The wounded man has been identified as Wilber Garcés Pérez, a Venezuelan DoorDash driver who says he still has the bullet in his body, suffered a fractured clavicle and later developed left‑side paralysis.
- The Department of Homeland Security said it opened an investigation with FBI assistance and said Garcés Pérez is in federal custody at the Pearsall detention center pending possible removal.
- Local officials, the victim’s attorney and protesters are demanding an independent, full inquiry, immediate public release of body‑worn camera footage and protections to prevent his deportation while he is a potential witness.
- The case has intensified scrutiny of ICE after recent record arrest totals and earlier deadly agent‑involved shootings, raising questions about the agency’s use of force, detainee medical care and oversight of its operations.