Dozens of protesters gathered Sunday in Austin after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and wounded a 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver, prompting calls from city leaders for an independent investigation and renewed scrutiny of recent ICE activity in the Texas capital.
Authorities identified the man as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan national who was shot in the torso and taken to a hospital, where his lawyer said he called his wife while "yelling in pain." His attorney later told public radio that Garces Perez remained in ICE custody.
What officials say
The Department of Homeland Security has announced it is investigating the incident. Local officials said details about how the shooting unfolded remain limited.
"They should know the truth,"
said Mayor Kirk Watson, urging transparency and saying Austinites have a right both to know what happened and to feel safe in their city. The mayor also indicated the city will be involved in the review of the event.
Scene and reaction
Local television footage and news agency reports showed demonstrators across from a blue Toyota Corolla with damage to its passenger-side door while ICE agents stood nearby. Protesters, some carrying Mexican and Guatemalan flags and signs urging ICE to leave Austin, chanted and called for accountability.
The demonstration came amid heightened local tensions over increased ICE operations in recent weeks. City leaders and community advocates have criticized the agency’s tactics following other incidents in Texas, including recent deadly encounters involving ICE personnel.
Ongoing inquiries and context
Authorities have not yet released a public account of what led to the shooting just before 1 p.m. local time. DHS said only that it was investigating a shooting involving a man who had entered the United States illegally. Local police and the mayor have requested an independent probe to ensure facts are established outside the agency involved.
The incident follows other controversial ICE encounters in Texas, including the fatal shooting of a Houston resident by an ICE officer earlier this year, which intensified local scrutiny of the agency’s enforcement tactics.
Immediate facts at a glance
| Time | Victim | Agency | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just before 1 p.m. (local) | Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28 | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement | Shot in torso; hospitalized; in ICE custody; DHS investigating |
Community response and next steps
Protesters called for ICE to leave Austin and demanded answers about the shooting. City officials, including the mayor, have publicly urged a transparent and independent review. Federal investigators from DHS have opened their own probe, but local leaders said that an outside, nonfederal review will be necessary to address community concerns.
The attorney representing Garces Perez reported that he was able to call his wife from the hospital while in pain. Beyond that account, officials have provided few public details about the circumstances that led to the use of deadly force.
- Victim: 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver shot in the torso.
- Agency: ICE involved; DHS says it is investigating.
- Local reaction: Protests in Austin; mayor and police call for independent probe.
The shooting adds to a string of incidents that have intensified debate over ICE enforcement in Texas cities. City officials said they will participate in the review process and press for transparency as federal and local investigators continue their work.
Reporting from federal agencies and local authorities remains limited. As investigators release more information, city leaders and community groups say they will continue to press for independent oversight and answers for the victim’s family and the Austin community.
