DoorDash Driver Wilber Rafael Garces Perez Shot By ICE Agent In North Austin; Investigation Underway

Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan working as a DoorDash delivery driver, was shot and wounded by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on Sunday while making a delivery in north Austin.

The shooting occurred before 1 p.m. near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said city police were not involved in the shooting and that federal and local agencies are cooperating in the ongoing investigation.

Medical response and condition

Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said at a news conference that the victim was believed to have been shot once in the torso. EMS crews arrived on scene and transported him to Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas within nine minutes of arrival. Hospital officials listed him in serious but stable condition.

Custody and immigration status

Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch identified the victim as Garces Perez and told reporters he was working for DoorDash at the time of the shooting; she said he called his wife from his car while 'yelling in pain.' DoorDash confirmed he was actively delivering food when he was shot. Lincoln-Goldfinch said he was released from Dell Seton on Sunday night and transferred to what she and her team believe is ICE custody. She also told NPR that Garces Perez is married to a woman who has legal status in the United States and that, 'based on the information available,' he 'entered the United States lawfully,' but she did not comment on his current immigration status.

Federal account

'Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is leading the investigation into the officer involved shooting of an illegal alien from Venezuela, who illegally entered our country under the Biden administration and had a final order of removal, during a law enforcement operation today in Austin, TX.'

The Department of Homeland Security statement described Garces Perez as an 'illegal alien' and said his condition is stable and he is in federal custody pending removal. That characterization conflicts with the attorney's comments, and officials have not released a full timeline or complete account of the events leading up to the shooting.

Investigation status

Federal and local authorities, including Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI, are investigating the circumstances. Officials say they will provide updates as more information becomes available.

What we know and don't know

• Victim identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, Venezuelan, DoorDash delivery worker.
• Shooting occurred before 1 p.m. on Austin's north side, near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard.
• Austin police were not involved, according to the city's police chief.
• EMS reports a single gunshot to the torso; transported to Dell Seton within nine minutes and listed as serious but stable.
• Attorney says he was released from the hospital and turned over to what she believes is ICE custody; DHS describes him as an 'illegal alien' with a final order of removal.
• HSI and the FBI are leading the probe; many details remain unclear.

This account will be updated as officials release more information.