Agent from ICE Shoots and Injures Man in Austin, Texas

A United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and wounded a man on Sunday during an operation in North Austin, Texas. The incident is currently under investigation.

The shooting took place on the 7000 block of West Anderson Lane, near US Highway 183 and Research Boulevard. According to three state and local officials, a federal agent was responsible for firing on the individual.

Emergency services from Austin-Travis County transported the victim to a hospital. City sources indicated that the individual was conscious and communicative at the time of receiving medical assistance. His identity and updated condition have not been made public yet.

The Austin Police Department clarified that their officers were not involved in the event.

"Austin police officers were not involved in the situation and we are unaware of what led to the incident," stated city officials in a communication sent to City Council members.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed to FOX 7 Austin that ICE was leading an investigation at the scene, although they initially offered no details about the circumstances that led to the shooting.

Both ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have yet to release their detailed accounts of what transpired before the agent discharged his firearm.

A dark blue Toyota Corolla was observed parked under the overpass of Research Boulevard and West Anderson Lane, with visible damage to the passenger side door and what appeared to be bullet marks.

State agents arrived to manage traffic as numerous people gathered around the area secured by authorities.

Democratic Congressman Greg Casar, who represents a district that includes part of Austin, has called for an independent investigation and the immediate release of body camera footage from the agents.

"Our city has witnessed a horrifying event: ICE shot a person in Austin this morning," Casar wrote on the platform X.

The congressman emphasized that as facts emerge, he would demand a thorough independent investigation, the release of body camera images, and accountability if any agents broke the law.

State Representative Vikki Goodwin also addressed the incident, assuring that more details would be revealed in due course. "We will obtain further information, but this violence cannot continue," she stated.

This shooting incident comes amidst ongoing tensions in Austin regarding cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agents.

In January, city police responding to a disturbance call notified ICE after identifying a woman with an administrative immigration warrant. Federal agents later detained the woman and her five-year-old daughter, who reportedly were subsequently deported. This led Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis to review departmental policies concerning cooperation with ICE.

The Sunday incident also occurs amid heightened scrutiny over the use of firearms during immigration operations. NBC News has documented over 20 shootings involving ICE or Border Patrol agents since the start of the second Trump administration.

Notably, ICE agent Christian Castro was recently arrested in Minnesota and faces state charges related to a shooting during Operation Metro Surge. Castro is accused of assault and providing false information about that incident; the charges are still pending in court.

Austin authorities have scheduled a press conference at 4:00 p.m. this Sunday at City Hall, featuring Mayor Kirk Watson, Police Chief Lisa Davis, and Emergency Services Chief Robert Luckritz, where they are expected to provide more details about the event.