Protest erupts after one person shot and wounded by ICE in Austin: report

A protest erupted in Austin, Texas, on Sunday after federal immigration agents shot and injured one person, according to reports.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents confronted an individual driving a blue Toyota sedan shortly after 1 p.m. in North Austin. Emiliano Tahui Gómez, a freelance writer and former immigration reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, reported that two witnesses said an immigration agent driving a black Escalade confronted Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan national, after Perez refused to stop. Witnesses added that ICE agents did not render aid to Perez, and it was discovered that he was shot after an Austin police officer arrived on the scene, Gómez reported.

Perez was transported to a local hospital by an ambulance about 10 minutes after police arrived, Gómez added.

Vinny Martorano, a journalist with CBS Austin, asked Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis about information he received that Perez was shot from behind during a press conference. Davis neither confirmed nor denied the allegation.

A crowd began gathering at the site of the shooting shortly after Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) posted on X about the event.

"As the facts emerge, I am demanding a full, independent investigation, immediate release of the body camera footage, and accountability for any ICE officer who broke the law," Casar posted.

Alejandro Serrano, a politics reporter with the Texas Tribune, posted a video on X of dozens of people gathering to protest the shooting. Cars drove by honking in solidarity as police confronted a local ICE watchdog, Serrano reported.

Protesters shouted "chinga la migra" as some immigration officers left the scene.

The shooting sparked outrage among elected leaders like Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

"I am very angry and extremely disappointed that a person was shot on the streets of Austin by ICE," Watson posted on X. "While I’m angry and disappointed, I’m not surprised. This has happened in other cities. With the rogue nature of ICE and the chaos we’re seeing fomented by ICE, there’s no reason to be surprised. Austinites have a right to know what happened and they have a right to feel safe in their community."