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Ongoing1 earlier update

This story has run 2 times, starting Sep 22.

  1. UpdateMan shot once in the back by an ICE officer in Austin is held at a detention center with the bullet still in him, his lawyer says
  2. UpdateVenezuelan driver shot by ICE is rehospitalized after detention with bullet near spine — this issue
NBC NEWSUpdate

Venezuelan driver shot by ICE is rehospitalized after detention with bullet near spine

Immigration enforcement
Political Guyentist · September 23, 20261 min read

NBC NEWS

Federal agents held 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez on a cold floor without pain medication 130 miles away in Pearsall before returning him to an Austin hospital late Monday.

Catch upwhat happened before · 1 earlier issue

On Sept. 21, an ICE officer in Austin shot Venezuelan DoorDash driver Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez in the back during a traffic encounter. Federal agents detained him for interrogation on Sept. 22 while the bullet remained lodged near his spine.

  • Garcés Pérez entered the U.S. in 2024 through the CBP One app seeking asylum and has no prior criminal record.
  • The ICE officer who fired was placed on administrative leave while the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations review the shooting.
  • ICE notified family members four hours after transferring Garcés Pérez from the Austin hospital to Pearsall.

What we’re less sure of2 of 6 claims