A man was hospitalized after an ICE officer shot him during a traffic stop in Austin, Texas. Local officials said the incident happened on Sunday afternoon in the northern part of the city. Authorities have opened an investigation as questions continue to grow about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the man suffered a gunshot wound to the torso. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials later reported that he was in serious but stable condition.
The injured man was identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan. His family is now seeking information about his health and the events that led to the shooting.
Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, who is representing the family, said she believes Garces Perez has no criminal record. She also said she is not aware of any final order that would require his removal from the United States. However, she later stated that she could not confirm his current immigration status.
According to the attorney, family members have struggled to obtain details from the hospital. They are still trying to learn more about his condition and location.
Chief Davis said Austin police officers were not involved in the traffic stop or the shooting. The operation was conducted by federal immigration authorities. Local police became involved afterward as part of the response and investigation.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not attend the news conference held by city officials. Federal authorities also did not immediately release further information about the incident.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called for a transparent review of the shooting. He said local police should participate in the investigation to provide an independent perspective.
Watson said residents deserve confidence that the investigation will be fair and complete. He added that public trust depends on a process that is open and credible.
The mayor was asked whether local officials knew the location of the federal agent involved in the shooting. Watson said they did not know where the agent was. He expressed hope that the officer would remain available to investigators and stay in the area while the case is reviewed.
Chief Davis said investigators were still collecting evidence and reviewing facts. She noted that the shooting had happened only a short time before the news conference. Because of that, many details remained unknown.
The police department’s special investigation unit responded to the scene. Investigators worked to gather evidence and document what happened before, during and after the shooting.
Authorities have not yet explained what led to the use of force. Officials also have not released information about the events that occurred before the traffic stop ended in gunfire.
The incident quickly attracted public attention. A large law enforcement presence remained at the scene as investigators carried out their work.
At the same time, about 100 protesters gathered nearby. Many expressed concern about immigration enforcement operations in the city. Some carried signs while others called for greater accountability and transparency.
Several demonstrators voiced criticism of ICE activities. Passing motorists also reacted as the protest continued through the afternoon.
US Representative Greg Casar called for a full and transparent investigation. The congressman, who represents parts of Austin, said the community deserves clear answers.
Casar also criticized the recent increase in immigration enforcement efforts. He said the shooting has raised concerns among residents and highlighted fears within immigrant communities.
The case comes during a period of increased immigration enforcement across the United States. ICE reported more than 50,000 arrests in both July and August. Those figures marked the highest monthly totals in the agency’s history.
The Austin incident follows another recent shooting involving an ICE officer. In July, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Houston resident, was fatally shot after federal agents pursued him while he was driving members of his construction crew to a job site.
As investigators continue their work, local leaders, family members and community groups are seeking more information. Officials say additional details will be released once verified facts become available. The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine exactly what happened during the Austin ICE officer shooting.
