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Austin man shot by ICE officer needs surgery, official says
The Texas Tribune • • general
Key Points:
- Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, shot by ICE officers in Austin, requires surgery to remove a bullet near his spine and is experiencing severe pain, according to U.S. Rep. Greg Casar after visiting him in detention.
- The ICE officer who shot Garces Perez was not wearing a body camera during the incident, despite being issued one, while another officer’s body camera did not capture the shooting footage.
- The lack of body camera footage has drawn criticism amid broader concerns about ICE’s use of force and transparency, with DHS stating that all field officers will be equipped with body cameras by the end of September.
- Garces Perez, who entered the U.S. legally and applied for asylum, missed an immigration court hearing due to a notice sent to the wrong address, resulting in a final removal order before the shooting incident.
- His attorneys have filed a petition to block his deportation and secure his release from ICE detention, with a federal court hearing scheduled for September 30 in San Antonio.
