Shooting of DoorDash Delivery Driver by ICE Agent Raises Questions

Austin, Texas witnessed a dramatic encounter on Sunday involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a food delivery driver. The individual was identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan working for DoorDash.

The incident occurred before 1 p.m. near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard, located in the northern part of the city. Details surrounding the event remain unclear. However, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that local police were not involved. Chief of Austin-Travis County EMS Robert Luckritz reported the man suffered a gunshot wound to the torso. Emergency services quickly transported him to Dell Seton Medical Center. His condition was listed as serious but stable.

Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch identified Garces Perez, stating that he was delivering food when the shooting happened. She shared with CBS that Perez contacted his wife during the ordeal, expressing distress. DoorDash corroborated his work status at the time of the incident.

Post-recovery, Garces Perez was released from the medical center on Sunday night, whereupon, according to Lincoln-Goldfinch, he was possibly taken into ICE custody. She shared with NPR that his wife holds legal U.S. residency. Lincoln-Goldfinch noted that Perez had lawfully entered the U.S., though she declined to discuss his present immigration status.

A Homeland Security spokesperson provided a contrasting view, labeling Garces Perez as an “illegal alien.” Collaborating with the FBI, they oversee the investigation, as clarified in a statement to Newsweek. The spokesperson indicated Perez’s presence in the country followed an illegal entry under the current administration and that he faced a removal order.

The investigation into this law enforcement operation remains ongoing. Federal authorities have assured that public updates will follow as more information surfaces.