Wilber Rafael Garces Perez is being held in federal custody after he was shot in the torso by an immigration officer during a stop in Austin on September 20. Two former Homeland Security officials stated that the officer was a new recruit who failed to activate his issued body camera during the incident. Despite his recent hire status, the agent had years of prior federal experience in the Border Patrol and completed a 256 hour Deportation Officer Training Program in August 2025, posting a 99.2% score on his pistol qualification.

Newly released video from Austin Police appears to debunk assertions by Perez and his lawyer that agents dragged the Venezuelan man from his vehicle after he was shot. Perez, who Homeland Security says has a final order of removal, was transferred from a local hospital to an ICE processing facility following the encounter. Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are currently leading the investigation into the shooting.