Venezuelan Driver Shot by ICE Undergoes Bullet Removal Surgery
The delivery driver shot by a federal immigration agent in Texas has had surgery to remove a bullet from his back.
A Venezuelan delivery driver, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, has undergone surgery to remove a bullet that had been lodged in his back for nearly two weeks after being shot by a federal immigration agent in Texas. Garces Perez remains in custody on charges of assaulting an officer while attempting to evade arrest.
Authorities stated that Garces Perez struck an officer with his vehicle's side mirror on September 20 as he tried to drive away. The federal officer involved in the incident, who allegedly sustained injury from the side mirror, was not wearing a body camera. If convicted of the assault charge, Garces Perez faces up to 20 years in prison.
The bullet was successfully removed during the surgery, and Garces Perez is recovering while in the custody of the U.S. Marshals, according to a spokesperson for his legal team. His case has prompted protests in Austin against President Donald Trump's immigration policies and the conduct of immigration agents.
Garces Perez claims he was struck by a law enforcement SUV and spun around before being shot. However, federal officers told investigators that Garces Perez attempted to strike an officer with his car at the end of a pursuit, leading to the officer firing his weapon. Court footage released Wednesday shows officers pulling over Garces Perez in Austin, where he was working as a DoorDash delivery driver.