ICE agent shoots man in North Austin, victim hospitalized
ICE agent shoots man in Austin, victim hospitalized
A federal immigration agent shot and wounded a man in North Austin, prompting a joint investigation by Austin police, Texas Rangers and HSI.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and wounded an adult man Sunday in North Austin, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed with FOX 7 that ICE is handling the investigation in the 7000 block of West Anderson. Austin police and Texas Rangers will also be involved in the investigation.
DPS did not immediately provide additional details about the incident.
Austin ICE incident
What we know:
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Rob Luckritz said emergency crews were notified of a reported shooting at about 12:56 p.m. in the 8000 block of Anderson Square.
Paramedics arrived within about 3 1/2 minutes and found an adult man with a gunshot wound. The man was transported to a local trauma center in serious but stable condition.
Luckritz said the patient was taken from the scene within nine minutes of EMS crews’ arrival.
Davis said the shooting involved a federal agent and later confirmed she had been told the agent was with ICE.
Austin police were not involved in the shooting. Officers helped block roads and direct traffic near Research Boulevard and Anderson Square.
Davis said the Austin Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit, which investigates officer-involved shootings, was at the scene.
She said she had not yet been briefed by federal authorities about the operation. Davis said she had heard there was a brief foot pursuit, but emphasized that the information was preliminary.
Austin officials call for transparency
FULL: Austin City Hall Presser on ICE Shooting
Officials speak at Austin City Hall about the reported ICE-related shooting in North Austin.
Local perspective:
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the city has a responsibility to investigate the shooting and provide answers to residents.
"I am very angry and extremely disappointed that a person was shot on the streets of Austin by ICE," Watson wrote in a post on X.
Watson said Austin police should be involved in an investigation that is "clear-eyed, as complete as possible, and independent."
At a City Hall news conference, Watson said he questioned whether an ICE-led investigation alone would be credible.
"Austinites have a right to know what happened," Watson said.
Davis said she had spoken with Texas Rangers, who will work alongside APD in the investigation. She also said Homeland Security Investigations had agreed to provide as much cooperation as possible.
Watson said the Texas Rangers’ involvement would be important because of the access DPS had early in the incident.
The Travis County District Attorney's office released this statement regarding the incident:
"A member of our community was shot by an ICE agent this afternoon. It is critical that all the facts come to light and that an independent investigation be completed. We are requesting that the Austin Police Department and our office, the Travis County District Attorney, be co-equal partners in the investigation. We further request cooperation from the federal government in giving us access to the evidence. As has occurred in other jurisdictions, it is possible that this incident included violations of state law."
Politicians demand independent investigation
Dig deeper:
Texas state Rep. Vikki Goodwin said in a post on X that there was "another ICE-related shooting" in North Austin.
Goodwin said Austin police were at the scene for traffic control and that the victim was taken to a hospital.
"We will get more information, but this violence cannot continue," Goodwin wrote.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar also said on X that an ICE officer shot someone in Austin Sunday morning.
"The horror has come to our city: ICE has shot a person in Austin this morning," Casar wrote.
Casar represents Texas’ 35th Congressional District, which includes parts of East Austin and West San Antonio.
At the City Hall news conference, Casar called for transparency, accountability and the release of body camera footage.
"This is a pattern. It’s a disturbing pattern, and it’s got to stop," Casar said.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not released the victim’s identity, nationality or any additional information about his condition beyond the description of serious but stable.
Officials have not provided details about the ICE operation or what led to the shooting.
It remains unclear whether the victim was the target of an ICE operation. Officials also have not confirmed where the man was shot on his body beyond Luckritz’s description of a gunshot wound to the torso.
Luckritz could not confirm whether the man was shot in the front or back of his body.
Officials said there were no arrests related to the shooting.
What's next:
The Austin Police Department, Texas Rangers and HSI are expected to investigate the shooting. ICE is also handling an investigation.
Officials said the investigation remains in its early stages and that additional details will be released as they become available.
This article will be updated as more information is provided.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by Texas DPS PIO Billy Ray and a social media post from Congressman Greg Casar.