**Title: ICE Officer Shoots Man During Pursuit in Austin, Investigation Demanded**
A man was shot and wounded by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during a brief foot pursuit in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. Local officials have called for an independent investigation into the incident, which has raised concerns about the agency's actions and accountability.
The shooting occurred shortly before 1 p.m. local time, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. The man, identified as 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was shot in the torso and subsequently transported to a local hospital. Officials reported that he is currently in serious but stable condition.
Perez, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, was released from the hospital later that day into the custody of ICE, as confirmed by his attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch. She stated that Perez had entered the United States legally, although a law enforcement source indicated that he was subject to a final removal order.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that its Homeland Security Investigations unit is leading the inquiry into the officer-involved shooting, with assistance from the FBI. In a statement on social media, DHS characterized Perez as having entered the United States "illegally" during the Biden administration.
City officials have not disclosed the identity of the ICE officer involved in the shooting, nor have they provided additional details about the incident. Chief Davis noted that she had not yet received a briefing from federal officials regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has expressed his desire for the investigation to involve city police and the Texas Rangers, emphasizing the need for credibility in the inquiry. “From my perspective, the credibility of ICE doing some form of an investigation just by itself and excluding others would not be appropriate,” he stated. Mayor Watson also expressed anger over the shooting, indicating that he was not surprised given the recent increase in ICE activity in the area.
U.S. Representative Greg Casar, a Texas Democrat whose district includes parts of Austin, echoed the mayor's concerns. He highlighted the recent surge in ICE detentions in Austin and warned that such escalations could lead to violent incidents. “Just a few weeks ago, as we saw the ICE surge come to Austin, especially to North Central Austin, I and others said that ICE needed to leave before someone was shot,” Casar remarked.
The incident has sparked protests, with demonstrators gathering near the scene of the shooting. Local news coverage showed a blue Toyota Corolla with damage to its passenger-side door, where the incident reportedly took place.
This shooting is part of a broader pattern of scrutiny surrounding ICE's actions, particularly in light of several high-profile incidents involving the agency in recent years. Critics argue that ICE's aggressive enforcement tactics have led to violations of civil rights and due process. The agency has been involved in multiple shootings this year, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota, which ignited public outrage.
Casar has stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the investigation, referencing past incidents where ICE's reporting on shootings has been questioned. “It is important for us to have transparency and the true facts in this case,” he stated, pointing to a lack of trust in ICE's handling of similar situations.
As the investigation unfolds, local officials and community advocates continue to call for a thorough and impartial review of the shooting, emphasizing the need for accountability in law enforcement practices. The incident has reignited discussions about immigration enforcement policies and their impact on communities across the country.