ICE representative shoots and injuries guy in Austin, Texas

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Upgraded on: September 20, 2026/ 11:07 PM EDT
/ CBS/AP

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A federal migration representative shot and injured a guy on Sunday in Austin, Texas, authorities stated.

The shooting took place soon before 1 p.m. regional time on the city’s north side. Chief of Austin-Travis County EMS Robert Luckritz stated at a Sunday press conference he thinks the male was shot as soon as in the upper body which he remained in severe condition.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson stated that, while the male’s condition was severe, he was steady.

A legal representative for the guy who was shot recognized him as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan nationwide. Lawyer Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch informed CBS News that Garces Perez was working for DoorDash at the time of the shooting, and stated he called his spouse from his vehicle while “yelling in pain.” DoorDash validated he remained in the procedure of a shipment when the shooting occurred and stated it was examining.

Lincoln-Goldfinch stated Sunday night that Garces Perez had actually been launched from Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas “into what we believe is ICE custody.” She stated Garces Perez had actually been at first held for roughly 6 hours, throughout which time officers decreased to offer his other half with significant details about his status or situations.

“We are deeply concerned that his wife and family have not been permitted to see him and have not received a meaningful update regarding his current condition or whereabouts,” she stated.

She informed CBS News that when they hurried to the healthcare facility, police “ran us off the property and told us we can’t even stand on the driveway.”

Federal police sources informed CBS News that ICE representatives were wanting to nab a Venezuelan male living in the U.S. unlawfully and with a deportation order. Sources verified the guy is Garces Perez.

Lincoln-Goldfinch informed CBS News, “Based on the information available to us, he entered the United States lawfully,” Did not comment on his existing legal status.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis stated the shooting might have included a foot pursuit, however warned that the info is initial. She included that regional authorities did not have a great deal of truths at that point, however regional authorities detectives were on the scene and are in touch with ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations. Both Davis and Watson stated Austin authorities were not associated with the shooting.

Austin City Council member Mike Siegel, who represents Austin District 7, declared an ICE officer rammed the male’s automobile, then left his federal automobile and opened fire a minimum of 5 times.

In this picture taken with a mobile phone, authorities move a vehicle from the location where an ICE officer shot a male in Austin, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.

AP Photo/Jesse Bedayn


Homeland Security Investigations will lead the examination, with the FBI helping, several U.S. authorities informed CBS News.

The transfer of investigative obligation for specific ICE-involved shootings from the FBI to Homeland Security Investigations represents a significant departure from longstanding federal practice. The FBI has actually traditionally examined attacks on federal officers and, together with the Justice Department, has jurisdiction and specific knowledge in prospective federal civil liberties offenses developing from police usages of fatal force.

HSI belongs of ICE itself and has not generally acted as the primary investigative body for officer-involved shootings. CBS News reported in July that FBI field workplaces were advised to delay assault-on-federal-officer examinations including DHS workers to HSI, consisting of cases in which migration representatives released their weapons, although Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security authorities rejected that an official policy modification had actually taken place.

The Department of Homeland Security, which supervises ICE, didn’t instantly react to CBS News’ ask for information.

A dark blue Toyota Corolla was parked under an overpass with damage to its passenger-side door and what seemed bullet holes, regional media reported. Siegel stated he might see a minimum of 2 bullet holes.

A big police existence was at the scene, together with a crowd of observers.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, who represents parts of Austin, required openness as the shooting is examined.

“The horror has come to our city: ICE has shot a person in Austin this morning,” Casar composed on X. “As the facts emerge, I am demanding a full, independent investigation, immediate release of the body camera footage, and accountability for any ICE officer who broke the law.”

Watson stated at Sunday’s press conference he’s “very angry” about the shooting however “not surprised” provided previous ICE-related shootings in other U.S. cities.

Watson stated he has actually requested regional authorities to be associated with the examination and questioned ICE’s trustworthiness to perform its own probe, stating, “Austinites have a right to know what happened.”

ICE Shooting Austin

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar speaks throughout a press conference at Austin City Hall, Sept. 20, 2026, after a federal migration representative shot and injured a guy in North Austin, Texas.

Sara Diggins/The San Antonio Express-News by means of AP


James Talarico, the Democratic prospect for November’s Senate race in Texas, stated in a declaration he was “closely following reports” of the shooting.

“Previous incidents have shown that this agency cannot be trusted to report all the facts. We need a full, independent investigation that includes the release of any and all available footage,” he stated. “As we seek further information, my prayers are with those impacted and with the Austin community.”

The shooting comes a couple of months after an ICE officer fatally shot 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujoof Houston, in July after federal representatives driving unmarked lorries pursued him while he was taking his building team to a task website.

In July, 25-year-old Johan Sebastián, a Colombian male, was shot by an ICE officer in MaineThe officer is an Army veteran who has actually fought with severe psychological health concerns because early youth and never ever need to have been provided a badge and weapon to patrol American streets, numerous of his close loved ones informed The Associated Press.

The shootings come amidst a Trump administration push to perform its mass deportation program. While the administration is no longer punishing specific cities, arrests are still taking place.

The administration’s enforcement efforts were extensively condemned last winter season after the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota.

Nicole Sganga, Camilo Montoya-Galvez and

Patrick Torphy

added to this report.

In:

  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

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