ICE Shoots Austin Driver
An ICE shooting of a Venezuelan delivery driver in Austin sparked protests and calls for a probe.
September 21, 2026 · Updated Sep 21, 9:09pm ET
Seattle TimesMan shot by ICE officer is detained in Texas with a bullet still in his back, attorney says
The HillAustin officials condemn ICE shooting of Venezuelan man, call for independent investigation
Breitbart NewsDHS: Illegal Alien Shot by ICE Officer Entered U.S. During Biden Border Crisis
The New York TimesWhat We Know About the ICE Shooting in Austin, Texas
ChronTexas town joins Austin protests after ICE shooting
Daily SignalICE Agent Shoots Venezuelan Illegal in Austin, Sparking Protests
TruthoutICE Shoots Man in Austin Doing Food Delivery, Spurring Protests
UPILawyer: Venezuelan man shot by ICE moved to detention center
World News GroupICE officer shoots, wounds Venezuelan man during Texas raid
El PaisMigrant wounded by ICE in Austin is in custody with no pain medication, his lawyer says
NBC NewsVenezuelan man shot by ICE in Texas says he’s in pain and still has bullet in his back
Deseret NewsICE shooting in Austin sparks protests — and demands for answers
MS NOWMan shot by ICE in Austin detained with bullet lodged near his spine, attorney says
CBS NewsMan shot by ICE in Austin being held in detention center with bullet in his back, lawyer says
Washington TimesMan shot by ICE officer is detained in Texas with a bullet still in his back, attorney says
Daily KosThe agonizing sameness of another ICE shooting
The BulwarkICE Shot a DoorDash Driver in the Back in Austin
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Left · 6
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Center · 6
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Right · 5
Pano rates the coverage Balanced.
What happened
An ICE officer shot Venezuelan immigrant Wilber Rafael Garces Perez during an immigration enforcement operation in Austin on Sunday afternoon. Garces Perez, 28, a DoorDashDoorDashAmerican food delivery company driver, was wounded, treated at a hospital, and transferred into ICE custody at a Texas detention center after his release. DHS said he had a final removal order and entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration
Joe Biden Administration cabinetthe government of the United States under President Joe Biden (2021–2025). His attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, said he entered legally in 2024 and had a valid work permit. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson
Kirk WatsonAmerican politician (Democrat) and city officials called for an independent investigation. DHS said Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI would investigate. Key details remain unconfirmed.
How the left told it
Left-leaning accounts centered the case on force and medical treatment after the shooting, rather than the removal case behind the stop. The Seattle Times cited attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch saying Garces Perez remained in custody “with a bullet still lodged” in his back. The New York Times tied the encounter to a wider pattern of violent ICE confrontations involving vehicles. Truthout emphasized his work status and legal-status claim through his attorney.
How the right told it
Right-leaning accounts centered the case on immigration enforcement and flight, while leaving the officer’s decision unresolved. Breitbart News foregrounded officials’ statement that Garces Perez had a final removal order and was being targeted for arrest and deportation. Breitbart also stressed that the reason for the officer’s shots was not yet clear. The Daily Signal framed the shooting as a protest flashpoint and a source of Democratic outrage.
Austin ICE Shooting
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Sep 29Venezuelan Man Charged After ICE ShootingLeans Left
- Sep 22ICE Officer Shoots Wilber PerezBalanced
- Sep 22Judge Blocks Austin ICE DeportationMostly Left
- Sep 21ICE Shoots Austin Driver (this story)Balanced
- Sep 20Austin ICE Shooting FalloutBalanced
