Incident Overview
Videos shared on social media have provided more insight into the incident involving the shooting of 28-year-old Venezuelan national, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. This event took place in Austin on Sunday, just before 1 p.m. local time, near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard on the city’s north side. Garces Perez was delivering food for DoorDash when he was shot and wounded by a federal officer.
DoorDash confirmed to Newsweek that Garces Perez was indeed making a delivery. The company is investigating the situation actively but has no further details to share yet. They emphasized that all Dashers are independent contractors.
Garces Perez’s status was uncertain in terms of being a target for an immigration operation. Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch stated that Garces Perez entered the United States lawfully through a parole program and sought asylum. She withheld comments on his current immigration status.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson described Garces Perez as an “illegal alien” who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration and faced a final order of removal.
Police and Eyewitness Accounts
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis communicated during a news conference on Sunday that her department was not involved in the shooting. She acknowledged hearing about a “small foot pursuit” preceding the incident but lacked complete details.
Footage captured by media and bystanders sheds light on the event. Heidi Ann Clark, an Austin resident, livestreamed from the scene around 12:50 p.m. A fast-moving vehicle braking abruptly caught her attention, leading her to film an unmarked SUV stopping near Garces Perez’s blue Toyota Corolla. An ICE agent exited the SUV, approached the Corolla with a firearm, and subsequently, the sound of three gunshots could be heard. The blue car continued rolling slowly until the officer arrived.
Celena Ramos, another Austin resident, shared a second video displaying the aftermath. Following police presence, bystanders confronted authorities, demanding explanations and medical assistance for Garces Perez, who was still in the vehicle, wounded.
Authorities and bystanders exchanged tense dialogues. Witnesses asked why Garces Perez had been shot, and why medical aid was delayed. Speculations over the absence of ambulances and assertions that “America is different” highlighted public frustration.
Reaction and Developments
Garces Perez’s wife faced challenges in accessing her husband at Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas. Lincoln-Goldfinch reported learning about his stable condition only after Mayor Kirk Watson intervened. She mentioned the likelihood of Garces Perez being transferred to a federal detention center.
The shooting, occurring months after a similar incident involving ICE in Houston, provoked anger among Austin officials. Mayor Watson expressed outrage and disappointment over ICE’s actions, labeled “rogue” by him, and urged Austin police involvement for unbiased investigation.
U.S. Representative Greg Casar, representing East Austin, voiced concerns on social media regarding potential deportation of Garces Perez, highlighting the importance of his testimony in the investigation.
A DHS statement reiterated its stance, calling Garces Perez an “illegal alien” and confirmed he is in stable condition in federal custody. The investigation is underway, led by Homeland Security Investigations with FBI assistance. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.