A 28-year-old Venezuelan national who was shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Austin, Texas, has been identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez. The incident has sparked protests in the city, while local officials have called for an independent investigation.
Perez was shot in North Austin shortly before 1 pm on Sunday, September 20. He was taken to a hospital after the incident. His attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, said Perez was able to call his wife while in hospital and was in significant pain.
According to law enforcement sources cited in US media, Perez was in the United States without legal immigration status and had a final order of removal. His attorney, however, said he lived in Austin and worked as a DoorDash delivery driver.
A DoorDash spokesperson confirmed that Perez was making a delivery at the time of the shooting. The company said it was investigating the incident but declined to provide further details.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. The Austin Police Department said the victim was injured and transported to hospital, while no Austin police officer was involved in the shooting.
Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Sheridan Nolen said state troopers arrived after the shooting and immediately assisted other law enforcement agencies in providing medical treatment to the driver of a Toyota Corolla.
Video footage verified by US media appears to show a dark-coloured SUV and a blue sedan stopping near an intersection. The footage captures the sound of tyres screeching, followed by several gunshots as a person approaches the sedan. Authorities have not publicly provided a full account of what led to the confrontation.
Perez’s attorney has raised concerns about his access to his family following the shooting. She said she was at the hospital with Perez’s wife seeking information about his condition but claimed they were later escorted from the premises.
Lincoln-Goldfinch also said hospital lawyers indicated that Perez had been released and that she believed he had subsequently been transferred to ICE custody. She said the family had not received sufficient information about his condition or whereabouts.
The incident has led to protests in Austin, with dozens of people gathering at the scene. Some protesters carried flags of Mexico and Guatemala and held signs calling for ICE to leave the city.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said residents deserved a clear account of what happened. He said the city had a right to know the circumstances surrounding the shooting and expressed support for the city being involved in the investigation.
Texas Congressman Greg Casar has also called for an immediate independent investigation. He has urged authorities to release body-camera footage and determine whether any laws were violated.
The shooting comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement in parts of the United States. The demand for an independent probe is expected to keep attention focused on the circumstances of the incident, particularly the events that led to the shooting and what happened to Perez after he was taken to hospital.
Authorities have yet to release a complete official account of the confrontation or publicly clarify all details surrounding Perez’s current custody status.
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