A man was seriously injured after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot him in North Austin, Texas, on Sunday, September 20, as local and federal authorities investigated the incident.
The shooting happened shortly before 1 p.m. near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard, according to Austin officials and local reporting. The victim was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the torso and was reported to be in serious but stable condition.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said preliminary information indicated that the shooting followed a brief foot pursuit. Austin police were not involved in the shooting itself, although APD personnel responded to the area and assisted with the investigation and traffic control.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. Officials have not publicly identified the man who was shot or the ICE officer involved.
Greg Casar demands independent investigation
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, whose district includes parts of Austin, called for an independent investigation and the immediate release of available body-camera footage.
Casar said investigators should establish what happened before the shooting and determine whether any federal officer violated the law. His comments came as questions remained about the circumstances of the encounter.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson also called for outside involvement in the investigation, saying that allowing ICE to investigate the incident by itself would not provide the independent review he wants. Austin officials said the Texas Rangers and local investigators would be involved.
What happened in North Austin?
The shooting occurred near Anderson Square in North Austin, close to U.S. 183 and Research Boulevard.
A blue Toyota Corolla was photographed at the scene with damage to its passenger side and apparent bullet damage. Officials have cautioned that information about the sequence of events remains preliminary.
Witnesses interviewed by KUT said they heard gunshots and saw an ICE agent with the injured man before an ambulance arrived. Those witness accounts provide additional context, but investigators have not publicly established the complete sequence of events.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information about the victim, the ICE operation and the circumstances surrounding the shooting is expected.