An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan man in Austin on Sunday, prompting calls from several Texas Democrats and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson (D) for an independent investigation into what happened.
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, was shot in the torso in North Austin while working as a DoorDash driver, according to his attorney and local officials. He was hospitalized and later released into ICE custody. Federal authorities said Garces Perez had a final order for removal, while his attorney has disputed aspects of his immigration status.
The Department of Homeland Security said Homeland Security Investigations will lead the investigation with assistance from the FBI. Federal authorities have not publicly detailed what led to the shooting.
Mayor Watson called for an investigation that is "clear-eyed, as complete as possible, and independent," saying APD's Special Investigations Unit had been deployed to the scene. He said Austinites have a right to know what happened.
I am very angry and extremely disappointed that a person was shot on the streets of Austin by ICE.
While I’m angry and disappointed, I’m not surprised. This has happened in other cities. With the rogue nature of ICE and the chaos we’re seeing fomented by ICE, there’s no reason… https://t.co/e8ynjsIxXF
— Mayor Kirk Watson (@KirkPWatson) September 20, 2026
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D) said, "A federal badge is not a license to shoot. ICE investigating ICE is not an investigation."
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D) also called for a "full, independent, and transparent investigation," while accusing ICE of showing "no regard for human life."
The shooting comes more than two months after an ICE agent fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop in Houston. That case remains under investigation, with questions surrounding the federal account of the shooting.
