ICE officer wounds man during Austin traffic stop, prompting protests
An ICE agent shot a man in the torso during a traffic stop in Austin, Texas; the victim is in serious but stable condition and city officials are calling for an independent investigation amid protests.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot a man on Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop on Austin's north side, leaving the victim in serious but stable condition, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. The shooting occurred after the vehicle, a dark blue Toyota Corolla, was parked under an overpass and showed damage that appeared to include bullet holes.
Mayor Kirk Watson said the city's police department should take part in the investigation to provide "clear, third-party eyes" and expressed concern that ICE should not conduct its own inquiry. "Austin residents have a right to feel safe in their city," Watson added, emphasizing that a proper investigation would enhance credibility.
Chief Davis said her department's special investigation unit was on the scene but she did not have details about the victim's nationality or the identity of the federal agent involved. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not attend the news conference and did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Around a hundred demonstrators gathered at the site, some chanting and holding signs, while police in riot gear maintained a presence. Congressman Greg Casar called for transparency in the investigation, stating that the incident underscores concerns about ICE's recent surge in enforcement.
The shooting follows a series of high-profile incidents involving ICE officers this summer, including a fatal shooting in Houston and another in Maine.