ICE Shooting in Austin Explained: Venezuelan Man Wounded

An ICE shooting in Austin, Texas has reignited national outrage after a 28-year-old Venezuelan man was shot and wounded by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The man, identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was delivering food for DoorDash when he was stopped and shot once in the torso. He was rushed to Dell Seton Medical Center in serious but stable condition and later taken into ICE custody. The incident has sparked protests and renewed calls for independent oversight of immigration enforcement.

What Happened in the Austin ICE Shooting?

The shooting occurred before 1 p.m. near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard on Austin's north side. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Perez was the subject of a final order of removal and had entered the country illegally during the Biden administration. ICE agents used a traffic stop to pull him over, then fired into his vehicle, striking him in the torso. The incident immediately drew comparisons to other recent ICE enforcement under Trump operations.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said local officers were not involved in the operation but arrived afterward and administered first aid. The Austin Police Department was not a part of this incident, Davis said. EMS Chief Robert Luckritz confirmed Perez was transported to the hospital. DHS is leading the investigation with FBI assistance, but local officials have demanded an independent probe.

Who Is Wilber Rafael Garces Perez?

Perez is a 28-year-old Venezuelan national who had lived in Austin for about two years. He worked as a DoorDash delivery driver and was actively making a delivery when he was shot. His attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, said Perez has no criminal history and was released from the hospital into ICE custody around 4:30 p.m. His family initially had no information about his whereabouts or detention location.

According to his wife, Perez was still in the asylum process, contradicting the DHS characterization of him as an illegal alien with a final removal order. Lincoln-Goldfinch later acknowledged she was not fully certain of his asylum status. The case highlights the uncertainty facing many Venezuelan asylum seekers in Texas in the United States. DoorDash confirmed Perez was making a delivery and said it is investigating the incident.

ICE Enforcement Surge and Use of Force

The Austin shooting is part of a broader escalation in ICE operations. Since President Trump began his second term in January 2025, ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have fired their weapons more than 40 times, killing at least 11 people. In June 2026, an ICE agent in Houston fatally shot a Mexican man during an enforcement action.

Key figures from the Trump-era enforcement surge:

• 40+ times ICE and CBP have fired weapons since January 2025
• 11 people killed in those shootings
• 50,000+ arrests in both July and August 2026
• 52 deaths in ICE custody in the first 500 days of Trump's second term

The increased enforcement has coincided with a rise in deaths in ICE custody. A Human Rights Watch report published in June 2026 documented at least 52 deaths in ICE custody during the first 500 days of Trump's second term, attributing many to inadequate medical care and poor detention conditions.

Protests and Demands for an Independent Investigation

Within hours of the shooting, roughly 100 protesters gathered near the scene, holding signs reading "Nobody is safe" and "ICE nazi." Passing cars honked in support. Democratic Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Congressman Greg Casar called for transparency and an independent investigation, rejecting the idea that ICE should investigate itself.

It is not appropriate for ICE to investigate its own conduct, Watson said. Casar demanded the release of body camera footage and accountability for any officer who broke the law. The Texas Department of Public Safety said ICE requested assistance with a pursuit, but the shooting had already occurred by the time state troopers arrived. A special investigative unit from the local police department also responded to the scene.

FAQ

Was the ICE shooting in Austin fatal?

No. Wilber Rafael Garces Perez was shot once in the torso and hospitalized in serious but stable condition before being taken into ICE custody.

Why did ICE shoot the man in Austin?

ICE says Perez was an undocumented immigrant with a final removal order and that agents fired during a traffic stop. Local officials and his family dispute key details and demand an independent investigation.

Who is investigating the Austin ICE shooting?

The Department of Homeland Security is leading the investigation with FBI assistance, but Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Rep. Greg Casar want independent oversight and release of body camera footage.

How many people have been shot by ICE since 2025?

Since Trump's second term began in January 2025, ICE and CBP have fired weapons more than 40 times, killing at least 11 people, according to reporting.

How many people died in ICE custody under Trump?

A June 2026 Human Rights Watch report documented at least 52 deaths in ICE custody during the first 500 days of Trump's second term.