AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) — A federal immigration officer shot and wounded a man in North Austin Sunday, prompting a large protest near Research Boulevard and Anderson Square.
Austin officials said the shooting happened shortly before 1 p.m. during a federal immigration operation. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said preliminary information indicated there may have been a brief foot pursuit. Austin police were not involved in the shooting.
The man shot was identified by his attorney as 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan national. Officials said he was shot once in the torso and was in serious but stable condition.
Demonstrators quickly mobilized following reports of the shooting, lining sidewalks, waving Mexican flags and chanting “Abolish ICE.”
“I want to see that ICE agent be charged with attempted murder or murder if the man was killed,” said David Torres with Dare to Struggle. “I want the deportations to stop completely, because these killings, these murders will continue to happen unless the deportation stops completely.”
Tensions escalated as law enforcement used pepper balls to clear protesters from the street and away from the active investigation scene.
Local advocacy groups organized a rapid response, saying people in the community are frightened by what they describe as a recent surge in federal immigration operations.
“There’s other ways to deescalate a system, a situation,” Austin protester Rebecca Cruz said. “There is no reason to shoot somebody unless your life is in danger and their life was not in danger. This is something that is becoming an everyday norm in our community, in the immigrant community.”
After law enforcement left the intersection, protesters blocked Research Boulevard and Anderson Square. Traffic backed up along Research Boulevard, with some drivers telling CBS Austin it took as long as 20 minutes to get through the area.
Protesters said the disruption was intended to draw attention from the public and city and state leaders.
When asked whether she was surprised by the size of the crowd, Austin resident Jenna Geueke said, “No. Absolutely not. Just proud. And I think we can use a few more.”
The investigation remains ongoing.