An ICE-involved shooting in Texas found the media lamenting over an illegal alien “delivery driver” as dueling narratives spoke to the “war … being waged against Americans.”
(Video Credit: ABC News)
Sunday, video began circulating from the Lone Star State where a morning interaction between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a man from Venezuela resulted in shots fired following an attempt to flee. As details have emerged about his final order of removal, leftist attempts to milk the moment were countered with facts over feelings, readily ignored by street-blocking protesters.
Identified by his attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a statement from the Department of Homeland Security offered limited details: “Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, is leading the investigation into the officer involved shooting of an illegal alien from Venezuela, who illegally entered our country under the Biden administration and had a final order of removal, during a law enforcement operation today in Austin, TX.”
“The illegal alien’s condition is stable, and he is in federal custody pending removal,” added DHS. “This is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information becomes available.”
Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is leading the investigation into the officer involved shooting of an illegal alien from Venezuela, who illegally entered our country under the Biden administration and had a final order…
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) September 21, 2026
Video from the scene appeared to show the suspect’s vehicle blocked by law enforcement. As he attempted to pull away, shots were fired, and the suspect’s vehicle came to a stop a short distance away.
The suspect could be seen clutching his left shoulder, as images from the scene also showed a wound on his back.
In a statement provided to Fox News, Lincoln-Goldfinch avoided the current status of her client and instead focused on his supposed lawful entry into the United States.
“We are actively working to obtain additional information and clarify the circumstances surrounding the matter. We do not want to speculate or provide information that has not yet been confirmed,” said the attorney. “What we do understand is that he previously held a valid work permit and that, based on the information available to us, he entered the United States lawfully.”
She further stated, “Hospital attorneys at Dell Seton Medical Center have confirmed that Wilber Rafael Garces Perez has been released from the hospital into what we believe is ICE custody. After he was held for approximately six hours, officers declined to provide his wife with meaningful information about his status or circumstances.”
“We are deeply concerned that his wife and family have not been permitted to see him and have not received a meaningful update regarding his current condition or whereabouts,” added Lincoln-Goldfinch.
In the aftermath of the shooting, protesters shut down an intersection leading into Sunday night, waving flags of foreign nations, banners calling for the abolition of ICE and posters likening President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler before they were ultimately dispersed.
Many people are continuing to protest against ICE in N Austin where the shooting happened this afternoon.
Traffic appears to be flowing in one direction, but much of the intersection is shut down. @cbsaustin pic.twitter.com/pA9AjkYJVp
— Vinny Martorano (@VinnyMartorano) September 21, 2026
Meanwhile, as ABC News described the alien as a “delivery driver,” Democratic elected officials continued to demonize ICE.
“I am very angry and extremely disappointed that a person was shot on the streets of Austin by ICE,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson (D) in part. “While I’m angry and disappointed, I’m not surprised. This has happened in other cities. With the rogue nature of ICE and the chaos we’re seeing fomented by ICE, there’s no reason to be surprised.”
I am very angry and extremely disappointed that a person was shot on the streets of Austin by ICE.
While I’m angry and disappointed, I’m not surprised. This has happened in other cities. With the rogue nature of ICE and the chaos we’re seeing fomented by ICE, there’s no reason… https://t.co/e8ynjsIxXF
— Mayor Kirk Watson (@KirkPWatson) September 20, 2026
Likewise, Rep. Greg Casar (D), the Squad member whose district includes parts of Austin, participated in the politicized press conference following the incident and further sounded off on social media while demanding release of bodycam footage.
“It is awful that this horror has come to our doorstep, and as the mayor said,” expressed the congressman, “unfortunately, it is not a surprise. Just a few weeks ago, as we saw the ICE surge come to Austin, especially to North Central Austin, I and others said that ICE needed to leave before someone was shot like in Minneapolis, or like in Corpus Christi or like in Chicago. And that day is here, and so I think the message remains that for Austin to be safe ICE should end its surge here in our community.”
As ICE’s efforts were likened to “war,” Texas Rep. Chip Roy (R) countered the smears on efforts to restore national sovereignty and wrote on X, “We were told the shooter is a foreign national, an illegal alien from Venezuela with a final order of removal. The war is the one being waged against Americans through mass legal & illegal immigration.”
We were told the shooter is a foreign national, an illegal alien from Venezuela with a final order of removal. The war is the one being waged against Americans through mass legal & illegal immigration. https://t.co/t61mkP9Zjs
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) September 20, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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