An immigration enforcement officer shot a Venezuelan man during a traffic stop in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. Authorities described the encounter this way:. Fox News said: "Authorities said an ICE officer shot Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan national, during a traffic stop."1
At the scene, an officer could be heard describing the injury. "“He’s got… looks like one gunshot wound so far,” an officer is heard saying."2, New York Post said.
Officials linked the stop to the man's immigration status and a prior legal order against him. "This illegal alien was the subject of a targeted vehicle stop,”2 ICE said in a statement. “What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is whether or not they are illegally in the US"2, New York Post stated. Breitbart said: "Officials have not released the Venezuelan man’s identity but said an immigration judge issued a final order of removal against him."3
The man later described his condition to his attorney by phone. "“I haven’t received any medical attention. I’m in a lot of pain,” Garcés Pérez said, in a phone call to his attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch."4, The Guardian said.
His attorney also voiced broader fears about his treatment and possible removal. "“I’m afraid he’s not stable. I’m afraid he’s not receiving medical care, and I’m afraid they’re going to try to deport him to make this go away,” she said.", The Guardian said.
Additional reporting indicated the officer who fired had prior law enforcement experience, had been hired only recently, and was not wearing a body camera at the time. Christian Science Monitor reported: "Reporting from The Atlantic suggests the officer who opened fire had prior law enforcement experience, but was hired last year and wasn’t wearing a body camera."5
The shooting quickly drew public attention and protest in the city. Al Jazeera English headlined it "Protests in Texas after ICE agent shoots Venezuelan man". New York Post headlined it "ICE agent shoots and wounds Venezuelan migrant in Austin, sparking protests". BBC News headlined it "ICE agent shoots and wounds Venezuelan DoorDash driver in Texas". Fox News headlined it "Socialist, communist groups coordinate, promote 'spontaneous' anti-ICE protests in Austin".
