Venezuelan man shot by ICE in Texas is charged with assault

A Venezuelan man shot by an ICE officer in Texas has been charged with assault, according to prosecutors. Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, allegedly sideswiped the officer during a traffic stop on September 20 in Austin. The incident occurred after ICE confirmed that Garces Perez's blue Toyota sedan was registered to him and had a final order of removal from the US.

The court filing includes conflicting accounts of the event. Garces Perez claims the officer struck his car, causing him to drive away and strike the officer. However, ICE agents deny any contact between their SUV and Garces Perez's vehicle, stating there was no collision. The pursuit allegedly escalated into a high-speed chase through a commercial and residential area.

Garces Perez reportedly led the agents on the chase, causing their vehicle to spin around. After stopping, an officer fired at Garces Perez's car, striking him in the back. Garces Perez's lawyers say the bullet remains lodged in his back, putting him in grave danger. He has received "some of the best medical care" available. A judge temporarily blocked his deportation.

Garces Perez entered the US in 2024 through the CBP One asylum-seeker program, which was later cancelled by President Donald Trump.