ICE agent wounds Venezuelan delivery driver in Austin, prompting protests and calls for investigation
A 28-year-old Venezuelan delivery driver was shot in the torso by an ICE agent in Austin and hospitalized, leading to demonstrations and demands for an independent inquiry.
A 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver was shot in the torso by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Austin on Sunday and taken to a hospital, according to his lawyer. The Department of Homeland Security said it is investigating the incident, which occurred shortly before 1 p.m. local time.
Dozens of protesters gathered near the scene, some holding Mexican and Guatemalan flags and signs calling for ICE to leave the city. The vehicle involved, a blue Toyota Corolla, showed damage to its passenger-side door, while ICE agents stood nearby, Reuters reported.
Mayor Kirk Watson said residents have a right to know what happened and to feel safe in Austin, adding that the city will participate in the investigation. "They should know the truth," he said at a briefing.
Texas Congressman Greg Casar demanded an immediate independent investigation and the release of body-camera footage, urging accountability for any officer who broke the law.
The shooting follows previous incidents involving ICE officers, including a fatal shooting in Houston and a recent charge against an ICE agent for lying about a non-fatal shooting in Minnesota. Lawmakers and activists have called for reforms such as mandatory body cameras and visible identification for immigration enforcement agents.