Sep 20·Geo
Follow-up Sep 24 Major10
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Venezuelan DoorDash Driver Shot by ICE Agent in Austin Needs Surgery
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver, was shot by an ICE agent during a traffic stop in North Austin on September 20, 2026. He remains in ICE detention with a bullet lodged near his spine and has been told he needs surgery. Local officials have called for an independent investigation separate from federal authorities.
Quick Facts
- ICE agent shot Perez during traffic stop
- Perez was making DoorDash delivery at time of shooting
- Brief foot pursuit preceded shooting
- ICE agents in unmarked truck sideswiped Perez's car twice
- Perez transported to hospital in serious but stable condition
Related Insights
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan, was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on September 20, 2026, during a traffic stop in North Austin while making a DoorDash delivery. The shooting occurred near Anderson Square and U.S. 183 around 12:56 p.m. after a brief foot pursuit. Perez was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center in serious but stable condition with a gunshot wound to the torso. He was discharged after several hours and transferred to ICE custody at the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, approximately 130 miles southwest of Austin.
A bullet remains lodged near Perez's spine. According to U.S. Representative Greg Casar, who visited Perez in detention on September 23, a medical specialist has determined that surgery is needed to remove the bullet. Perez reportedly has not received adequate pain medication while in detention, though the Department of Homeland Security later disputed this claim, stating he is receiving around-the-clock medical care and pain medication. As of late September, Perez's family had not decided whether to proceed with surgery.
The circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear. DHS stated that Perez was "the subject of a targeted vehicle stop" and had "a final order of removal." However, Perez's attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, stated that Perez entered the U.S. in 2024 through CBP One, a Biden-era asylum program, and held a valid work permit. She said a deportation order was issued after Perez missed an immigration court hearing because the notice was sent to a former address. DHS has not disclosed whether the ICE agent involved was wearing a body camera.
Local and state officials have called for an independent investigation. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and the Travis County District Attorney requested that Austin police and county prosecutors be "co-equal partners" in the investigation alongside federal authorities, citing concerns about ICE's ability to conduct a credible probe. The Texas Rangers have agreed to participate. About 100 protesters gathered at the shooting scene on September 20, demonstrating against ICE enforcement operations.
The shooting occurred amid a significant increase in ICE enforcement under President Donald Trump's second term. ICE reported more than 50,000 arrests monthly in July and August 2026—a first for the agency. In Austin specifically, ICE made over 1,000 arrests in June and July, an 80 percent increase from the previous year. The incident follows other fatal and non-fatal shootings by ICE agents during immigration enforcement operations in 2026, including the July shooting death of Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston.
Why This Matters
A Venezuelan national with valid work authorization was shot during an ICE enforcement stop and remains in detention with a lodged bullet requiring surgery. The incident raises procedural questions about ICE enforcement practices and medical care in custody, while occurring during a period of significantly elevated ICE arrest activity (50,000+ monthly arrests in mid-2026, up 80 percent in Austin year-over-year). Local officials' request for independent investigation involvement reflects institutional concerns about federal investigative credibility in high-profile custody incidents.
Timeline & Sources
Jul 1, 2026
WireReference: ICE agent fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston traffic stop
Sep 20, 2026
WireAustin Mayor Kirk Watson and local officials call for independent investigation
Sep 21, 2026
WireGarces Perez released from hospital and transferred to ICE custody
Sep 21, 2026
Wire100+ protesters gathered at North Austin intersection; ongoing demonstration
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Sources
- Ice Austin Redadas Migrantes 6a328c9761df5b6511037afda0df5ea7apWireSep 20, 2026
- Ice Austin Redadas Migrantes 167ec8e594be0dd444be8f0fa9d0e92dapWireSep 21, 2026
- Austin Texas Ice Shooting Driver Wilber Perez Ebdb9d481d28e322f62c15f1076f3c18apWireSep 21, 2026
- Austin Texas Ice Shooting Hospital Wilber Perez C65a8d9be74e1aab892e1daa44ed9cd1apWireSep 23, 2026
- Texas Ice Migrantes Tiroteos 309e6ae686415e187204d6e13901c98dapWireSep 24, 2026
- Venezuelan DoorDash driver shot and wounded by ICE agent in Austin, Texas, officials sayCNNMediaSep 20, 2026
- ICE agent shoots man in Austin, victim hospitalizedFOX 7 AustinMediaSep 21, 2026
- Attorney: Austin man shot by ICE agent was making DoorDash deliveryAustin American-StatesmanMediaSep 21, 2026
- ICE officer shoots Venezuelan man delivering food in Austin, Texas, lawyer saysYahooMediaSep 20, 2026
- Protesters gather in Austin, Texas, after ICE agent shoots manCNNMediaSep 21, 2026