ICE agent shoots and wounds man in Austin, Texas, officials say

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and wounded a man in Austin, Texas on Sunday afternoon, according to local authorities. The victim, who is in serious but stable condition, was shot once in the torso during a traffic stop on the city's north side. The individual, whose nationality has not been disclosed, was taken to a hospital and remains listed in stable condition.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that the shooting occurred after a traffic stop and that city police officers were not involved in the operation or the shooting. Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his desire for the city's police department to participate in the investigation, stating that it would provide unbiased insight. He emphasized the importance of transparency in the process, as it would enhance the city's credibility.

Davis, who is leading the special investigation, noted that her department's special investigation unit was on-site but provided few details at this stage. She acknowledged that there were not many facts to share immediately after the incident, but the presence of a large law enforcement presence and a crowd of around a hundred protesters further underscored the significance of the event.

The mayor and the office of Travis County District Attorney José Pompa Garza requested that local police and prosecutors be included in the investigation, and that the federal government provide access to the evidence. Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat representing parts of Austin, called for transparency and urged ICE to end its enforcement surge in the city. The incident comes amid surge in ICE's nationwide enforcement efforts, resulting in over 50,000 arrests per month in July and August.