Austin Democrats Draw Backlash After ICE Shooting as 3 Arrested in Protests
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 22
Austin Democrats Draw Backlash After ICE Shooting as 3 Arrested in Protests
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 22
Summary
Austin Democrats including Rep. Greg Casar, Mayor Kirk Watson and Councilman Mike Siegel were criticized for condemning ICE within hours of Sunday’s shooting before investigators had established basic facts.
Three people were arrested after hundreds protested the shooting, with Austin police reporting damaged vehicles and two officers injured by rocks, bottles and chunks of concrete.
DHS identified the man as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan with a final removal order, and said he was shot during a law enforcement operation after entering the U.S. under the Biden administration.
Perez’s lawyer disputed that account, saying he had entered through CBP One, held a valid work permit and missed an immigration hearing because notice went to the wrong address.
Retired Austin officer Dennis Farris said the Democrats’ response inflamed tensions and rejected claims of an ICE "surge," arguing deportation operations in Austin have gone on for decades.