Overview
- A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot a Venezuelan man during a traffic‑stop encounter in north Austin on Sept. 20, and the wounded man was taken to a hospital and later placed in federal custody.
- The man has been identified as 28‑year‑old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez and his attorney says a bullet remains lodged in his back and that he has been denied adequate medical care while detained at the Pearsall ICE processing center.
- Federal officials said the man had a final order of removal and entered the country illegally, a claim disputed by his lawyer, who says he entered through a parole program, held a work permit and was seeking asylum.
- Homeland Security Investigations is leading a probe with FBI help while Austin police and the Texas Rangers also investigate, and local officials and Rep. Greg Casar are demanding an independent review and prompt release of footage.
- Dozens of protesters gathered near the scene after the shooting, clashes with law enforcement led to use of pepper‑ball projectiles and several arrests, and the incident has revived calls for greater oversight of ICE use of force.