Federal immigration agent shoots Venezuelan man in Austin, victim hospitalized

A federal immigration officer shot Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 29-year-old Venezuelan man, inside his vehicle in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. Perez was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center, where officials said he was in serious but stable condition.

His attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, said Perez called his wife after the incident to report the shooting and his pain. She added that hospital staff denied entry to his family and that ICE officials would not confirm his presence in custody.

Austin Councilmember Mike Siegel, who was near the scene, observed at least two bullet holes in the passenger side of the car and noted that a civilian who appeared unharmed was handcuffed at the location.

Mayor Kirk Watson described the incident as “terrible” and expressed anger, noting similar shootings have occurred in other cities during immigration enforcement operations.

Congressman Greg Casar called for an independent investigation, accusing ICE of repeatedly providing false accounts of shootings and demanding transparency and accountability.

The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment. This incident follows a July shooting in Houston where ICE agents killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop.