ICE Agent in Austin Kills a Person: Investigation Initiated

In Austin, Texas, a person was injured when an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officer opened fire. The incident occurred shortly before 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard in North Austin.

Injured taken to hospital

Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the scene, where personnel treated a person who had been shot in the torso. The injured individual was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center. Local officials described the victim’s condition as serious but stable. According to the initial official reports, the injury resulted from a single gunshot.

Survived after the traffic disruption incident

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, according to the initial information, explained that the incident occurred following a traffic stop. Reuters reported that police officials experienced a brief foot chase before the shooting. However, the local police said they have not yet obtained all details about the incident.

Austin Police Did Not Take Part in the Operation

Officials said that Austin Police Department officers were not involved in the operation or armed intervention that took place. Police Chief Lisa Davis said that federal authorities had not yet briefed them on all the details. It was noted that the Austin Police Department's special investigation unit was sent to the scene.

Bullet Marks Seen on Vehicle

Investigations at the scene revealed damage and bullet marks on the passenger-side door of a dark blue Toyota Corolla. The vehicle was removed from the scene in the evening. Austin City Council member Mike Siegel, speaking to NPR, said that there were at least two bullet holes on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Identity of the Injured Person Revealed

The injured person's lawyer, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, announced that her client is Venezuelan citizen Wilber Rafael Garces Perez. Because the reports in the U.S. press contained conflicting information about the person's age, the age could not be confirmed.

Mayor Demands Independent Investigation

Garces Perez's attorney said that after his client was shot, he called his wife to inform her that she had been injured. Regarding the condition of the injured person at the hospital and whether he was in federal custody, it was reported that no clear information was given to the family in the first hours.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson demanded that the Austin Police Department be involved in the investigation. Watson said it would not be appropriate for the case to be handled solely by ICE. The office of Travis County District Attorney José Pompa Garza also called for local police and prosecutors to take part in the inquiry and for cooperation with the federal government in accessing evidence.

A protest took place at the scene.

After the armed intervention, a large number of protesters gathered at the scene. Police used a chemical agent to disperse the crowd. It was reported that a group of about 100 protesters assembled in the area.

The investigation is ongoing.

Officials said that all aspects of the circumstances that led to the shooting are being investigated. No detailed explanation regarding the identity of the ICE officer and his actions during the incident has yet been provided by federal authorities. The Austin municipal government is seeking for the investigation to be conducted transparently and for access to evidence related to the incident.