Austin, Texas: A Venezuelan delivery driver who was shot by a federal immigration agent in Texas had surgery Thursday to remove a bullet lodged in his back for nearly two weeks.
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, had appeared in court in a wheelchair on Wednesday, wearing a sling on his arm. He remains in custody on charges that he assaulted an officer while trying to evade arrest.
Authorities allege Garces Perez struck an officer with his side mirror on September 20 while trying to drive away. The federal officer who shot Garces Perez, and who allegedly was hit by the side mirror of Garces Perez’s car, wasn’t wearing a body camera.
Garces Perez faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the assault charge.
The bullet was successfully removed during surgery, and Garces Perez is recovering in the custody of the US Marshalls, said Fabiana Melendez Ruiz, a spokesperson for his legal team.