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Austin police release dashcam and body-camera footage in investigation of ICE shooting

Austin officials released video Tuesday as local authorities investigate the shooting of a Venezuelan food-delivery driver by federal immigration agents in north Austin. The footage shows the events leading up to the shooting and the response by Austin police, but key audio remains withheld while investigators examine the case.

Austin police release dashcam and body-camera footage in investigation of ICE shooting
AUSTIN — Austin police released dashcam and body-camera footage Tuesday as the city investigates the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan national who was wounded by federal immigration agents Sunday in north Austin. Mayor Kirk Watson and Police Chief Lisa Davis presented the footage at a news conference. The video includes recordings from an off-duty Austin police detective’s personal vehicle and cellphone, as well as body-camera footage from one of the first officers to arrive after the shooting. The detective’s dashcam shows two black SUVs stopped beside a blue car that was later involved in the shooting. Federal immigration agents appear to be speaking with Garces Perez. Davis said the detective went into a nearby shopping center for an estimated 10 to 15 minutes and began recording on his cellphone after returning. During that time, Davis said, a pursuit moved through nearby neighborhoods. Federal officials have described the encounter as a targeted vehicle stop, but Davis said Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not notify Austin police about either the stop or the pursuit. When the detective left the shopping center, he saw the blue car and the federal vehicles near an overpass. He recorded the sound of gunfire and called Austin police, Davis said. The body-camera video shows an arriving Austin officer interacting with Garces Perez as first responders treated him. Police removed the audio from the officer’s initial exchange with federal agents, citing the active investigation. APD said it was not involved in the immigration operation. Garces Perez was working as a food-delivery driver when he was shot. The Department of Homeland Security said he entered the United States unlawfully during the Biden administration, that his work permit expired in 2025 and that an immigration judge had issued a final order of removal. A judge has since temporarily blocked his deportation. The federal officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave, according to federal law enforcement sources. APD said it does not know whether that officer was wearing a body camera. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office is working with APD to investigate whether the use of force violated criminal law. The office said it has contacted local, state and federal agencies to obtain witnesses and evidence. Under the established process for officer-involved shootings, prosecutors could ultimately refer the case to a grand jury, which would decide whether to issue an indictment. The district attorney’s office did not say how the federal officer’s status could affect possible state charges, including questions involving federal immunity or jurisdiction. Attorneys with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association said federal agents generally are not subject to state or local prosecution for actions taken within their official duties, though that characterization does not determine what will happen in this case. DHS has defended the enforcement operation and said it will continue its immigration efforts in Austin. In a statement, the agency described resisting officers and fleeing arrest as dangerous and illegal. The agency has not publicly answered specific questions about how the shooting unfolded, communication between federal agents and Austin police or emergency medical personnel, or the federal officer’s use-of-force review.

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