A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and wounded a man in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, according to the Austin Police Department. The incident, which occurred during a law enforcement operation, has prompted protests and drew strong criticism from local officials. The man, identified by his lawyers as 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was reportedly making deliveries for DoorDash at the time of the encounter.

Garces Perez was transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his torso and was initially in serious but stable condition. His lawyer's office later stated he had been released from the hospital and was in ICE custody at an undisclosed location. His wife has not yet spoken with him, and his legal team has vowed to pursue justice.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the incident on social media, stating that Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the FBI, is leading the investigation. Their statement identified the individual as an "illegal alien from Venezuela" who had entered the country under the Biden administration and had a final order of removal. The department added that the individual's condition was stable and he was in federal custody pending removal.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed anger and disappointment over the shooting. He criticized ICE, calling its actions "rogue" and the situation "chaos." Watson stated that Austinites have a right to know what happened and to feel safe in their community, adding that such incidents, while disappointing, are not surprising given ICE's operations in other cities.

A video obtained by ABC News appears to capture the moments after the shooting. Provided by a witness to a local city council member, the footage shows the man hunched over in the driver's seat of a blue sedan, surrounded by ICE officers. In the video, the man can be heard speaking in Spanish, attributing the shooting to him not braking. Later, he is seen handcuffed as officers cut his shirt, revealing a gunshot wound on his back.

Law enforcement sources indicated to ABC News that the shooting occurred during a targeted ICE operation. The individual is believed to be a Venezuelan national who had entered the country illegally. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and scrutiny surrounding ICE operations and their interactions with the public, particularly in urban centers.

Details surrounding the exact circumstances of the encounter, including the nature of the ICE operation and the sequence of events leading to the shooting, remain under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI. The Austin Police Department has been involved in the investigation as is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in the city.

Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses. The incident highlights broader debates about immigration enforcement, the role of federal agencies within local communities, and the safety protocols in place during such operations. The community awaits more information on the findings of the official investigation.