The Department of Homeland Security’s investigative arm is leading a probe into a federal agent’s shooting of an immigrant from Venezuela in Austin, Texas, on Sunday afternoon.
Protesters gathered at the scene following the incident, with social media videos showing them disrupting traffic. Texas law enforcement responded, detaining multiple protesters and firing pepper balls to disperse the crowd.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed anger about the shooting, emphasizing that local police were not involved. He stated that the incident happened during a traffic stop and voiced a lack of surprise at ICE’s involvement, citing concerns about the agency’s current practices. Watson and other Texas Democrats have called for independent investigations and the release of all available footage.
The District Attorney’s Office in Travis County has requested to partner with city police in the investigation and urged federal cooperation in providing evidence, noting that the incident may have involved violations of state law.
Rep. Greg Casar (D, Texas) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and acting ICE director David Venturella, seeking a congressional briefing and the public release of body and dash camera footage, along with communications between agents before and after the shooting. Casar and Watson suggested that ICE activity in Austin has intensified recently, linking it to the current administration's immigration policies.
What Happened
The shooting occurred near the intersection of Anderson Square and Research Boulevard. According to a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas state troopers were contacted by ICE officials seeking assistance with a pursuit of a blue Toyota Corolla. Before state troopers arrived, an ICE agent shot a man, who was then treated by the arriving troopers.
Austin-Travis County EMS confirmed receiving notification of the shooting around 12:56 p.m. CT. The man sustained a gunshot wound to the torso and was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center in stable condition. Preliminary information indicated a brief foot pursuit preceded the shooting.
Individuals Involved
An Austin immigration lawyer identified the man shot as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan. The lawyer stated that Perez possessed a work permit and had entered the U.S. legally, and was working for DoorDash at the time of the incident.
A DHS spokesperson countered, asserting that the immigrant “illegally entered our country under the Biden Administration and had a final order of removal.” The spokesperson added that the man is in stable condition and in federal custody pending removal.
Videos posted by the lawyer showed Perez’s wife had not been informed of his condition and was initially turned away from the hospital. Rep. Casar has stated that Perez should not be deported, as he is a key witness to the shooting, and urged that he receive proper medical care.
The identity of the ICE agent involved has not been released. Mayor Watson stated that the whereabouts of the agent were unknown but expressed hope that the agent would not leave the city or state.
Context of Federal Agent Shootings
This incident follows a July shooting in Houston where an ICE agent killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national, during a traffic stop. ICE stated Araujo was not the intended target, though DHS claimed he was in the country illegally and attempted to ram ICE vehicles.
Since the current administration's focus on strict immigration enforcement, federal agents have been involved in several high-profile incidents. In March 2025, a federal agent fatally shot U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez in South Padre Island, Texas. Other shootings involving federal agents have led to demands for accountability, funding disputes, and partial shutdowns of the Department of Homeland Security.