Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Venezuelan Man Shot by ICE Says Bullet Remains Inside
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez is a 28-year-old man from Venezuela who was shot by an immigration officer in Austin, Texas.
He says the bullet is still inside his body and that he is in pain.
His lawyer says he was taken from a hospital to an immigration detention center without receiving the treatment he needed.
Garces Perez says the trouble began when an unmarked vehicle hit his car during a DoorDash delivery.
He says the vehicle hit him again after he made a U-turn, and officers then shot him.
The Department of Homeland Security says he was shot during an arrest operation and is stable.
The department also says he has a final order to leave the United States.
His lawyer disputes the government's description of his immigration status and says he had a work permit.
Officials are investigating, while some Democratic lawmakers want an independent investigation and video released.
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez says a bullet remains lodged in his body after an ICE shooting in Austin.
His lawyer says he was transferred from an Austin hospital to federal custody without adequate treatment or pain medication.
Garces Perez says an unmarked SUV sideswiped his car during a DoorDash delivery before he was shot.
The Department of Homeland Security says he was wounded during an ICE-led arrest operation and has a final removal order.
Texas Democrats James Talarico and Greg Casar called for an independent investigation and release of body-camera footage.
- Who
- Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan national; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers; and his lawyer, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch.
- What
- Garces Perez was shot during an ICE-led arrest operation and says the bullet remains lodged in his body.
- When
- The shooting occurred Sunday; his lawyer discussed the case at a Monday news conference.
- Where
- The shooting occurred in Austin, Texas; Garces Perez was later held at an immigration detention center in Pearsall, Texas.
- Why
- The Department of Homeland Security says the shooting occurred during an arrest operation involving a person with a final removal order; the circumstances leading to the shooting are disputed.
Garces Perez, His Lawyer and Supporters
Department of Homeland Security
What led to the shooting
Garces Perez, His Lawyer and Supporters
Garces Perez and Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch say an unmarked vehicle sideswiped his car during a DoorDash delivery, chased him after a U-turn, hit him again, and officers then shot him.
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security says he was shot and wounded during an ICE-led arrest operation but did not provide the same detailed account of the vehicle encounter.
Medical care and custody
Garces Perez, His Lawyer and Supporters
Garces Perez says he remains in pain, while his lawyer says he was transferred from a hospital without needed treatment or pain medication and spent the night without a bed.
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security says he is stable and in federal custody pending removal.
Immigration status and oversight
Garces Perez, His Lawyer and Supporters
Lincoln-Goldfinch says Garces Perez was in the United States legally with a work permit and is challenging the removal order; lawmakers called for an independent investigation and release of footage.
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security says he entered the country illegally and had a final order of removal, and says Homeland Security Investigations, with FBI assistance, is investigating.
- Person shot
- Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28
- Shooting location
- Austin, Texas
- Later detention
- An ICE detention center in Pearsall, approximately 135 miles southwest of Austin
- Reported injury
- A gunshot wound; Garces Perez and his lawyer say the bullet remains inside his body
- Government account
- The Department of Homeland Security says he was wounded during an ICE-led arrest operation and is stable pending removal
- Lawyer's account
- Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch says he received inadequate medical treatment and was transferred without the bullet being removed or pain medication
- Investigation and response
- Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating; James Talarico and Greg Casar requested independent review and footage
