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Venezuelan Man Shot by ICE Interrogated with Bullet Still in Back
Confirmed
In Short: Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a Venezuelan man, was shot by an ICE officer during a traffic stop in Austin, Texas, while making deliveries as a DoorDash driver. Garcés Pérez's attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, said he was interrogated with a bullet still lodged in his back.
According to Garcés Pérez, he was shot near the clavicle and has not received the necessary medical attention. He was in stable condition and was in federal custody pending removal from the U.S. ICE spokespersons stated that Garcés Pérez did not have a criminal history beyond being in the country illegally.
Garcés Pérez's attorney claims he entered the country legally and was seeking asylum. However, he missed his court hearing and was ordered deported in absentia due to this mistake. Lawmakers, advocates, and his attorney demanded his release, alleging he was taken from a hospital into custody within four hours with a bullet still in his back.
The incident began when Garcés Pérez made a U-turn under a highway after ICE officers in an unmarked truck chased him and sideswiped his car twice. An ICE officer then shot him in the back of the neck before pulling him from his vehicle.
Garcés Pérez is being held at the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, Texas, about 130 miles southwest of Austin. He said he was 'not doing well' and had 'not received the medical attention that I require.
ICE and Texas Department of Public Safety officials confirmed that they had received a request for assistance from ICE for a vehicle pursuit involving a blue Toyota Corolla. Federal law enforcement sources told NewsNation that Garcés Pérez fled from immigration officers before he was shot.
The bullet is reportedly lodged near his spine, making its removal difficult. ICE maintains that Garcés Pérez had illegally immigrated from Venezuela and had a final order of removal.
What this adds
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrants in ICE custody and the potential for violent encounters during enforcement operations.
What's confirmed
- According to Garcés Pérez, he was shot near the clavicle and has not received the necessary medical attention. He was in stable condition and was in federal custody pending removal from the U.S. ICE spokespersons stated that Garcés Pérez did not have a criminal history beyond being in the country illegally.
- Garcés Pérez's attorney claims he entered the country legally and was seeking asylum. However, he missed his court hearing and was ordered deported in absentia due to this mistake. Lawmakers, advocates, and his attorney demanded his release, alleging he was taken from a hospital into custody within four hours with a bullet still in his back.
- The incident began when Garcés Pérez made a U-turn under a highway after ICE officers in an unmarked truck chased him and sideswiped his car twice. An ICE officer then shot him in the back of the neck before pulling him from his vehicle.
- Garcés Pérez is being held at the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, Texas, about 130 miles southwest of Austin. He said he was 'not doing well' and had 'not received the medical attention that I require.
- ICE and Texas Department of Public Safety officials confirmed that they had received a request for assistance from ICE for a vehicle pursuit involving a blue Toyota Corolla. Federal law enforcement sources told NewsNation that Garcés Pérez fled from immigration officers before he was shot.
- The bullet is reportedly lodged near his spine, making its removal difficult. ICE maintains that Garcés Pérez had illegally immigrated from Venezuela and had a final order of removal.
What's still developing
- Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, 28, was shot early Sunday afternoon by an ICE officer while making deliveries as a DoorDash driver.
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