Wilber Rafael Garces Perez: DoorDash Delivery Driver Shot by ICE in Austin

A Venezuelan DoorDash driver was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, Sept. 20, while he was making a delivery, according to his attorney and DoorDash.

Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, was shot in the torso shortly before 1 p.m. during an encounter involving ICE in North Austin.

He was hospitalized after being shot and was later released into federal custody pending removal, the Department of Homeland Security said.

What Happened to Wilber Rafael Garces Perez?

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the shooting followed a traffic stop and a brief foot pursuit.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said it received a request from ICE for assistance with a vehicle pursuit involving a blue Toyota Corolla at about 12:50 p.m., but the shooting had occurred before state troopers arrived.

Austin police were not involved in the shooting.

Davis said local investigators were at the scene, but authorities initially had limited information about what led to the encounter.

Garces Perez’s attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, identified him and said he was working for DoorDash when he was shot.

DoorDash also confirmed to ABC News that he was making a delivery at the time.

Garces Perez Released From Hospital Into Federal Custody

DHS said Monday that Garces Perez was stable and “in federal custody pending removal.” Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation with assistance from the FBI. Garces Perez had entered the U.S. illegally and had a final order of removal. His attorney has disputed aspects of that account.

Lincoln-Goldfinch initially said she believed he had no final removal order, but later told The Associated Press that she did not know his current immigration status.

His family has also requested updates on his condition and whereabouts since his transfer from the hospital.

Investigation Draws Calls for Independent Review

The shooting has led Austin officials to seek greater local involvement in the investigation.

Mayor Kirk Watson said Austin police should participate alongside federal authorities, arguing that the investigation needs “clear, third-party eyes.”

The Travis County District Attorney’s Office separately requested that the Austin Police Department and the district attorney’s office serve as partners in the investigation and asked the federal government to provide access to evidence.

Protesters gathered near the shooting scene Sunday as questions mounted over what happened before the ICE agent opened fire.

The circumstances surrounding the use of force remain under investigation.

The entire sequence of events remains under investigation as federal and local authorities work to establish what led to the shooting.

Federal investigators have not publicly provided a detailed account of why Garces Perez was stopped, what happened during the reported pursuit, and what prompted the ICE agent to fire.