Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Rep. Ramón Romero Jr., chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, called for a full investigation into the shooting of a 28-year-old Venezuelan man by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Austin and urged Gov. Greg Abbott to press federal authorities for cooperation.
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez was shot Sunday during an immigration enforcement operation in North Austin. Austin officials said he suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper torso and was hospitalized in serious but stable condition. He was later released into federal custody, according to his attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch.
“Another man has been shot during an ICE operation in Texas,” Romero said. He said Garces Perez, according to his attorney, had a valid work permit and was making a DoorDash delivery when he was shot.
Lincoln-Goldfinch has said Garces Perez entered the United States legally and had a work permit. The Department of Homeland Security has provided a different account, saying he entered illegally and has a final removal order.
Romero cited two previous Texas cases involving ICE officers, Ruben Ray Martinez and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, before calling on Abbott to intervene.
“Governor Abbott, how many more Texans have to be hurt before you step in?” Romero said. “Wilber’s family deserves answers.”
Romero called on Abbott to demand “a full, transparent investigation” and federal cooperation with state and local investigators. He also urged the governor to demand an end to ICE traffic stops.
“We cannot allow this to become the new normal in Texas,” Romero said.
The Texas Tribune reported that the Austin shooting followed the fatal shootings of Salgado Araujo in Houston in July and Martinez in South Padre Island in March 2025.
The Austin shooting has already prompted investigations and calls for greater transparency. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Austin police and the Texas Rangers plan to investigate alongside federal authorities. Homeland Security Investigations is leading the federal investigation with FBI assistance.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has also called for local participation, saying an investigation involving outside law enforcement would provide greater credibility.
The shooting adds to questions raised previously by Abbott about the use of deadly force during immigration enforcement. Texas Border Business previously reported Abbott’s message following another ICE-related shooting: “Enforce the law, but don’t kill.”
Garces Perez survived Sunday’s shooting, but Romero said the incident requires scrutiny of how immigration enforcement operations are being conducted in Texas.
Federal authorities have not publicly released a complete account of what happened immediately before the officer fired.
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