US judge blocks deportation of DoorDash driver shot by ICE

On Sunday afternoon, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and wounded a man in Austin, Texas. The incident occurred when the man, identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan national, was delivering an order for DoorDash. According to his lawyer, the ICE agent rammed Perez's vehicle before shooting him once in the torso. Following the shooting, Perez was taken to a hospital where he is reported to be in serious but stable condition, with a bullet still lodged in his body near the spinal cord, causing him significant pain and a fractured clavicle. After his treatment, Perez was transferred from the hospital to a detention center, prompting legal action to block his deportation. His lawyer has expressed concerns about his condition, emphasizing the need for medical attention to remove the bullet. The incident has sparked community outrage, leading to anti-ICE protests at the scene shortly after the shooting occurred. Local authorities, including Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, have called for an independent investigation into the shooting to ensure transparency and accountability. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not participate in the news conference following the shooting and has not provided any comments regarding the incident. This lack of communication has raised concerns among community members and local officials about the accountability of ICE agents. Calls for a full investigation into the shooting have emerged, reflecting the community's demand for clarity and justice in the aftermath of the incident.