ICE Officer Shoots Venezuelan Food Delivery Driver in Austin, Sparking Protests and Calls for Investigation

On Sunday afternoon, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and seriously wounded a Venezuelan man who was making a food delivery in North Austin. The incident, which unfolded around 1 p.m. near an elevated stretch of Highway 183, has drawn intense scrutiny from local officials, civil‑rights groups, and members of Congress, prompting demands for an independent investigation, the release of any body‑camera footage, and accountability for the officer involved.

Incident Overview

According to Austin‑Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz, the victim was struck in the torso and taken to a local hospital, where he was described as being in “serious but stable” condition. A social‑media video verified by NBC News shows the moment the ICE officer approached a blue Toyota Corolla, fired at least three shots, and the vehicle lurched forward before coming to a stop. The car displayed visible bullet‑hole damage on its passenger side.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said it received a request for assistance from ICE regarding a vehicle pursuit involving the Corolla. DPS troopers arrived after the shooting and began rendering medical aid to the driver.

Victim Identified as Wilber Rafael Garcés Perez

Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln‑Goldfinch identified the wounded man as Wilber Rafael Garcés Perez, a 28‑year‑old Venezuelan national who resides in Austin. Lincoln‑Goldfinch said Garcés Perez entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration and had a final order of removal. At the time of the shooting he was working as a DoorDash driver, making a delivery when the incident occurred.

The attorney also noted that hospital staff had informed her that Garcés Perez had been released, though she was unsure to whom he had been released. She expressed concern that his wife and family have not been permitted to see him or receive a meaningful update on his condition.

Details of the Shooting and Police Response

The DPS spokesperson Sheridan Nolen said the shooting occurred before troopers arrived on the scene. Once they were present, DPS officers assisted partner agencies in providing medical treatment. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that a “small foot pursuit” had taken place and that Austin police investigators were on the scene, coordinating with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other state law‑enforcement agencies.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the Austin Police Department was not directly involved in the incident, but he voiced frustration over the use of force by an ICE agent, stating, “A person being shot on the streets of Austin by someone purporting to be law enforcement, particularly when it’s ICE, is something that causes me to be unhappy and angry.”

Community Reaction and Protests

Shortly after the shooting, demonstrators gathered near the site of the incident, chanting anti‑ICE slogans in both English and Spanish. Signs read “Stop ICE murder,” “Moms against ICE,” and “Abolish ICE.” The protest was accompanied by drumming and amplified messages criticizing federal immigration enforcement.

Late Sunday night, tensions rose and DPS troopers deployed tear gas and, in some instances, tackled protesters. By 11 p.m., the crowd had dispersed and troopers had left the area.

Local residents expressed shock and sorrow. One woman who has lived in Austin for 33 years told NBC News she had never witnessed an incident like this and said it “broke my heart.”

Political and Legal Responses

U.S. Representative Greg Casar (D‑Texas) called for an independent investigation, the release of any body‑camera footage, and accountability for any ICE officer who broke the law. In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella, Casar insisted on receiving a Congressional briefing by September 28.

State Representative James Talarico, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat from Texas, said he is “closely following” the reports and requested an investigation and all available footage. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D‑Texas) echoed the demand for “full accountability,” arguing that the Trump administration’s policies have allowed ICE to “flood our streets and put our communities in harm’s way again and again.”

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s largest Latino civil‑rights organization, urged Congress to establish independent oversight of immigration enforcement.

The Travis County District Attorney’s Office filed a request to be a “co‑equal partner” in any investigation and to receive cooperation from federal authorities.

Ongoing Investigation and Federal Custody Status

Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the FBI, is leading the investigation into the shooting. DHS has said the victim remains in federal custody pending removal from the United States. As of late September 2025, no criminal charges have been filed against the ICE officer involved, and the agency has not disclosed whether the officer was wearing a body camera at the time of the incident.

Attorney Lincoln‑Goldfinch said her priority, alongside the man’s family, is to locate Garcés Perez, verify his condition, and then pursue justice. DoorDash confirmed that Garcés Perez was making a delivery when the shooting occurred and said the company is cooperating with the investigation, though it declined to provide further details “at this time.”

Context: Prior ICE Shooting in Houston

The Austin incident follows a similar tragedy two months earlier, when an ICE officer fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national, during an attempted traffic stop in Houston. DHS has asserted that Salgado Araujo was in the country illegally and attempted to run over agents, but the agency has not publicly presented evidence to support that claim. The recurrence of such episodes has intensified calls for reform of immigration‑enforcement practices.

Protesters’ Demands

Demonstrators at the Austin scene have repeatedly called for:

• An independent, transparent investigation into the shooting.
• The immediate release of any body‑camera or dash‑camera footage.
• Accountability and possible criminal charges for the ICE officer involved.
• Federal oversight of ICE operations to prevent future use‑of‑force incidents.
• Protection for immigrant workers, particularly those in the gig economy, who fear enforcement actions while performing legitimate work.

As the investigation continues, community leaders, elected officials, and advocacy groups maintain pressure on federal authorities to provide answers and ensure that similar incidents do not recur.

This article reflects the information available from NBC News and other reputable sources as of September 28 2025. No major new developments beyond those outlined above have been verified at the time of writing.

News, Government, Law, Society, Politics, Austin, Texas, ICE, Venezuela, DoorDash, Protest, Immigration