Man Shot by ICE in Texas Undergoes Surgery to Remove Bullet 2026

A Venezuelan delivery driver who was shot by an ICE officer in Texas last month underwent surgery on Thursday to remove a bullet lodged in his back for nearly two weeks. Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, 28, had appeared in court in a wheelchair on Wednesday, wearing a sling on his arm. He remains in custody on charges that he assaulted an officer while trying to evade arrest.

Supporters and representatives had been lobbying for him to be given the chance of surgery, asserting that there was a risk he would lose feeling on the left side of his body because of the bullet being stuck so close to his spine. He had been taken from a hospital where he was being treated after being shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Austin and put in detention at a facility about 140 miles away the same day.

The Shooting Incident and Legal Charges

The authorities said Garcés Pérez struck an officer with his side mirror on 20 September while trying to drive away after a traffic stop and questioning. The federal officer who shot Garcés Pérez, and who allegedly was hit by the side mirror of the car, was not wearing a body camera. Garcés Pérez faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the assault charge. He was also facing deportation when he was stopped while driving on a DoorDash delivery in Austin last month, with some of the incident caught on bystander footage.

The case has drawn significant attention from immigration advocates and civil rights groups, who question the use of force by ICE officers and the lack of body camera footage. The officer involved has not been publicly identified, and it remains unclear whether any internal investigation has been launched.

Medical Timeline and Surgery Details

According to medical records and statements from his legal team, Garcés Pérez was initially treated at a hospital in Austin immediately after the shooting. However, he was transferred to a detention facility in Anson, Texas, about 140 miles away, the same day. The bullet remained lodged near his spine for nearly two weeks, causing numbness and limited mobility in his left arm and leg.

His attorneys argued that delaying surgery risked permanent nerve damage. After mounting pressure, he was finally taken to a hospital for the procedure on Thursday. The surgery was successful, and he is now recovering under guard.

Key Takeaways

• Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez was shot by an ICE officer in Austin on 20 September.
• The bullet remained lodged in his back for nearly two weeks, prompting concerns about nerve damage.
• He underwent surgery on Thursday to remove the bullet and is recovering.
• He faces up to 20 years in prison on an assault charge and possible deportation.
• The officer who shot him was not wearing a body camera, raising transparency concerns.

FAQ

The case highlights ongoing debates over immigration enforcement tactics and the use of force by federal agents. It also raises questions about medical care for detained individuals. Garcés Pérez's recovery and legal proceedings will be closely watched in the coming weeks.