Updated: September 21, 2026
A federal immigration enforcement operation in North Austin, Texas, turned into a shooting on Sunday, September 20, after an ICE officer shot and wounded a Venezuelan man during a brief encounter that authorities say involved a foot pursuit.
The shooting has drawn significant attention in Austin, with local officials and immigration-rights advocates calling for greater transparency as federal and local authorities investigate exactly what happened.
What happened in the Austin ICE shooting?
The incident happened in the Anderson Square area of North Austin, near Research Boulevard, on Sunday afternoon.
According to reporting from Reuters, an ICE officer shot 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan man, in the torso. Perez was taken to a hospital in serious but stable condition and was subsequently released into ICE custody.
Austin police have described the incident as following a brief foot pursuit. However, important details about the events immediately preceding the shooting remain under investigation.
Who was the man who was shot?
The wounded man has been identified in news reports as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28.
His attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, has disputed aspects of the federal government’s account of his immigration status. Reuters reported that ICE says Perez entered the United States illegally and is subject to removal, while his attorney says he had previously entered the country legally and possessed a valid work permit.
Those competing accounts have not been resolved publicly, making the ongoing investigation particularly important.
What is his current condition?
Perez survived the shooting.
He was hospitalized after suffering a gunshot wound to the torso and was reported to be in serious but stable condition. He was later transferred into ICE custody.
At the time of the latest reporting, there was no indication that the shooting resulted in a fatality.
Why is the investigation attracting attention?
The circumstances surrounding the use of force are now a major focus.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations unit, with FBI assistance, is investigating the shooting, according to Reuters. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has also called for Austin police and the Texas Rangers to participate rather than relying solely on an internal federal investigation.
The mayor’s request reflects a broader question surrounding who should independently examine the circumstances when a federal immigration officer uses deadly force.
Protests follow the shooting
The incident quickly generated protests in North Austin.
Demonstrators gathered near the area of Research Boulevard and Anderson Square, demanding additional information about what happened and calling for transparency in the investigation.
Local reporting said the protest activity followed the shooting and focused heavily on questions surrounding ICE operations and the use of force.
What ICE says vs. what the victim’s attorney says
One of the most important aspects of the developing story is that accounts of the circumstances are not identical.
| Issue | Information currently reported |
|---|---|
| Person shot | Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28 |
| Citizenship reported | Venezuelan |
| Location | Anderson Square area, North Austin |
| Injury | Gunshot wound to the torso |
| Condition | Serious but stable; later released to ICE custody |
| Officer involved | Federal immigration/ICE officer |
| Immediate circumstances | Authorities describe a brief foot pursuit |
| Investigation | DHS/HSI with FBI assistance |
| Local involvement sought | Austin police and Texas Rangers |
| Public response | Protesters gathered in North Austin |
These details may change as investigators release additional evidence and statements.
Questions investigators are expected to examine
Several major questions remain unanswered:
- What specifically led ICE officers to pursue Perez?
- What happened immediately before the officer fired?
- How many shots were fired?
- Was the officer responding to an immediate threat?
- What evidence, including body-camera footage, is available?
- What was Perez’s exact immigration status at the time?
- Why was Perez transferred into federal custody after treatment?
- What conclusions will federal and local investigators reach regarding the use of force?
At this stage, it is important not to treat disputed claims as established facts.
Why the Austin shooting matters
The shooting comes amid heightened national attention surrounding immigration enforcement and the use of force by federal immigration officers.
For Austin, the incident has also raised questions about the relationship between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement. Mayor Kirk Watson has publicly sought greater local participation in the investigation, while protesters have demanded additional transparency.
The investigation could therefore have implications beyond the individual shooting, particularly regarding how future federal immigration operations are conducted in Austin.
What happens next?
The immediate focus will be on the investigation and the release of additional information.
Authorities are expected to examine witness accounts, available video or body-camera evidence, forensic evidence and the circumstances surrounding the officer’s decision to fire.
Because the investigation is active, additional details could change the current understanding of the encounter.
Austin ICE Shooting — Latest Update
As of September 21, 2026, the key confirmed developments are that an ICE officer shot and wounded 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in North Austin; Perez survived and was subsequently placed in ICE custody; and federal investigators, with FBI assistance, are examining the incident. Austin’s mayor has called for broader local involvement in the investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Austin ICE shooting happen?
The shooting occurred on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in North Austin.
Where did the shooting happen?
It occurred around the Anderson Square/Research Boulevard area in North Austin, Texas.
Who was shot?
The wounded man was identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, a Venezuelan national.
Did the victim survive?
Yes. Perez was reported to be in serious but stable condition after being shot in the torso and was later released into ICE custody.
Is the Austin ICE shooting still being investigated?
Yes. Federal investigators, including Homeland Security Investigations with FBI assistance, are investigating the incident. Austin officials have also sought participation from local authorities.
Why are people protesting?
Protesters have gathered in North Austin seeking greater transparency and information about the shooting and ICE’s immigration-enforcement activities.
Bottom Line
The Austin ICE shooting remains an active and developing investigation. A 28-year-old Venezuelan man was wounded by an ICE officer in North Austin and survived. The circumstances leading to the shooting, including the precise sequence of events before the officer fired, remain important unanswered questions.