ICE Shooting Victim in Austin Finally Undergoes Surgery After Bullet Remained in His Back for 11 Days

• by Shimanta Das
• October 4, 2026

A Venezuelan man who was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer and then taken to a Texas detention center with a bullet still lodged in his back has finally undergone surgery, his attorney confirmed. The man, identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was shot during an encounter with ICE officers in Austin. He remains in custody on charges that he assaulted an officer while trying to evade arrest, according to authorities.

The incident drew widespread attention after a video of Garces Perez following the shooting was shown during a news conference conducted by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis on Sept. 30. The graphic footage highlighted the severity of the situation, prompting questions about the delay in medical treatment. According to the man’s attorney, Garces Perez was back in the hospital by Monday night, more than a week after the shooting, and has now undergone the necessary procedure to remove the bullet. The circumstances surrounding the delay—why he was not treated sooner—remain unclear, but the case has raised concerns about the handling of detainees with serious injuries.

Garces Perez’s legal situation is complicated by the charges he faces. He is accused of assaulting an officer while attempting to evade arrest, a charge that could carry significant penalties. His attorney has not commented on the specifics of the charges but has focused on the urgent medical needs of his client. The shooting and subsequent detention have also sparked debate over ICE’s use of force and the medical care provided to individuals in custody. Local officials, including Mayor Watson and Chief Davis, have called for transparency and a thorough review of the incident.

As Garces Perez recovers from surgery, his legal team is expected to continue advocating for his rights and well-being. The case underscores the tensions between immigration enforcement and community safety in Austin, a city that has often positioned itself as a sanctuary for immigrants. The Texas Tribune’s Zach Leggio reported on the developments, noting that the man’s condition is now stable following the operation. Further updates are anticipated as the investigation into the shooting continues and Garces Perez’s court proceedings move forward.