Attorney Kate Lincoln‑Goldfinch announced Monday night that Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, the 28‑year‑old Venezuelan who was shot by a federal immigration officer while in an ICE detention center near Austin, has been moved to a hospital for treatment of paralysis affecting his left side.
Background of the incident
According to the lawyer’s social‑media post, Perez was initially taken to a local hospital after the shooting on Sunday night. He was later transferred to an ICE processing facility about 130 miles southwest of Austin, where he remained in custody.
During a Monday news conference, Lincoln‑Goldfinch introduced a man who phoned in as Perez to describe his condition. Perez said he was still bleeding and not receiving adequate medical care. He told reporters in Spanish that he was “not doing well because of the gunshot I received” and that he had been forced to sleep on the floor at the detention center.
Details of the shooting
Perez reported that he was working as a DoorDash food‑delivery driver on Sunday when his vehicle was sideswiped by ICE agents. He said the agents did not identify themselves, nor did they activate lights or sirens. While still inside his car, an agent fired a weapon, striking Perez in the back. Perez maintains there was no foot chase; however, Austin police later reported that he had fled from the agents.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the incident on Monday and Tuesday. A written statement released by DHS on Sunday confirmed that Perez is in the United States illegally and that a final order of removal has been issued against him, but it offered no details about the circumstances of the shooting.
Legal and humanitarian concerns
Lincoln‑Goldfinch said she plans to visit Perez at the hospital on Tuesday morning and will continue to advocate for his medical needs. The case raises questions about the adequacy of medical care provided to detainees in ICE facilities, an issue that has drawn criticism from immigration‑rights groups and some local officials.
While the federal agency has not provided a full account, the incident underscores ongoing debates over immigration enforcement practices and detainee treatment. Advocates argue that detainees, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to prompt and appropriate medical attention under both domestic law and international human‑rights standards.
Community response
Local community leaders and faith‑based organizations have expressed concern for Perez’s wellbeing and called for transparency from ICE and DHS. Some have urged the agencies to ensure that all detainees receive the medical care they need, emphasizing the Christian principle of caring for the vulnerable.
The situation remains under investigation, and further updates are expected as Perez’s condition evolves and as legal representatives seek answers from federal authorities.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
