ICE agent shoots and wounds man in Austin, Texas, sparking demands for full investigation

A federal immigration agent shot and wounded a man on Sunday in Austin, Texas, authorities said, prompting widespread demands for transparency and a full independent investigation. The shooting occurred shortly before 1 p.m. local time on the city's north side. Chief of Austin-Travis County EMS Robert Luckritz said at a Sunday news conference that he believes the man was shot once in the torso and remained in serious condition. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said that while the man's condition was serious, he was stable, adding that he did not know the nationality of the man. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis stated that the shooting may have involved a foot pursuit, but cautioned that the information was preliminary, noting that local police investigators were on the scene and in touch with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations. Both Davis and Watson confirmed that Austin police were not involved in the incident. Austin City Council member Mike Siegel alleged that an ICE officer rammed the man's car, exited the federal vehicle, and opened fire at least five times. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not immediately respond to requests for details. Local media reported that a dark blue Toyota Corolla was parked under an overpass with passenger-side damage and apparent bullet holes. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar called for transparency and an independent investigation, writing on X to demand the immediate release of body camera footage and accountability. Mayor Watson expressed deep anger over the shooting, questioning ICE's credibility to conduct its own probe given prior incidents in other U.S. cities.