Bishop of Austin decries ICE shooting

Bishop Daniel E. Garcia of the Diocese of Austin expressed sadness and disturbance regarding the shooting of a Venezuelan man by an ICE officer in Austin. In a letter dated Sept. 20, Garcia stated that increased ICE activity on local streets has left people in the city living in fear. He asked for prayers for the man, his family, those involved, and the community, while calling on federal, state, and city authorities to be honest and transparent about the incident.

The shooting occurred Sunday afternoon after ICE agents identified a deportation order for Wilber Rafael Garces Perez. According to The New York Times, agents pulled over the vehicle and informed Garces Perez he would be arrested, after which he drove away and a short chase began. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis noted that city police were not part of the ICE operation and that the shooting happened before state troopers arrived.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it is investigating the shooting with help from the FBI. Officials described the man as an illegal alien from Venezuela who entered the country illegally and has a final order of removal. The Department of Homeland Security reported that the man is in stable condition and remains in federal custody pending removal.