Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Mother describes moments after Venezuelan man shot by ICE
A Venezuelan man named Wilber Garces Perez was shot during an immigration enforcement stop in Texas.
He was working as a food delivery driver when the incident happened.
His mother said he told her that agents hit his car and then shot him.
The government says the stop was targeted and that he resisted and tried to escape.
A video shows him hurt in the car, but it does not show the shooting itself.
A bullet is still in his back, and his supporters say he needs a doctor.
Officials say he is receiving medical care while he remains detained.
His lawyers want him released so he can help investigate what happened.
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during a vehicle stop in Austin, Texas.
His mother said he told her agents crashed into his car before shooting him, while the Department of Homeland Security said he was resisting and evading arrest.
A video shows Garces Perez injured inside his car, but does not capture the shooting; the involved officer reportedly was not wearing a body camera.
Garces Perez remains detained with a bullet in his back, while officials say he is receiving medical care and an advocate says he needs hospital treatment.
His attorneys are seeking his release, and his first federal immigration hearing is scheduled for the following Wednesday.
- Who
- Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan food delivery driver, was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent; his mother, Flor Perez, described the aftermath.
- What
- Garces Perez was wounded by a gunshot during a federal immigration vehicle stop and remains in detention with the bullet reportedly still in his back.
- When
- The shooting occurred on Sunday, and his mother spoke to Reuters four days later; his immigration hearing is scheduled for the following Wednesday.
- Where
- The shooting occurred in Austin, Texas, and Garces Perez is being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.
- Why
- The Department of Homeland Security said the stop was targeted and that Garces Perez resisted officers and evaded arrest; the sequence remains disputed and unclear.
Garces Perez’s account and critics
Government account
What led to the shooting
Garces Perez’s account and critics
Garces Perez said agents sideswiped or crashed into his car, did not identify themselves or activate emergency lights until afterward, and then shot him while he was in the vehicle.
Government account
The Department of Homeland Security described the incident as a targeted vehicle stop and said resisting officers and evading arrest was dangerous and illegal.
Medical treatment
Garces Perez’s account and critics
His mother and Representative Greg Casar said the wound is causing intense pain and that he needs hospital treatment to remove the bullet.
Government account
The Department of Homeland Security said Garces Perez was receiving medical care around the clock and said Immigration and Customs Enforcement would not advise or authorize a medical procedure.
Accountability and recording
Garces Perez’s account and critics
Critics say the administration’s deportation push has increased violent confrontations and have raised concerns about accountability; the involved officer reportedly was not wearing a body camera.
Government account
After other fatal traffic-stop shootings, officials said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be required to record vehicle stops and that officers would receive body cameras.
- Age
- Garces Perez is 28.
- Nationality
- He is from Venezuela.
- Injury
- A bullet remains in his back, according to the report.
- Detention
- He remains in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
- Video evidence
- Austin police video shows him injured but does not show the shooting.
- Medical dispute
- The Department of Homeland Security says he is receiving around-the-clock care, while Representative Greg Casar said he needs a doctor.
- Legal status
- His attorneys have petitioned for his release and to pursue legal status.