Austin Mayor And Police Respond To ICE Shooting After False Reports Spark Protests

The Shooting and the Chaos

A federal immigration agent shot a man in North Austin on Sunday. The man was a Venezuelan national with a final removal order. Officials say he was hit once in the torso and is in serious condition. He is stable and alert in the hospital. This event sparked hours of unrest in the city.

Protesters gathered near an overpass and waved foreign flags. They chanted slogans to stop the agency. Water bottles flew at officers who wore riot gear. Texas troopers put on gas masks to handle the crowd. The group blocked traffic on Research Boulevard for a long time.

Police declared the gathering unlawful and moved in. The Department of Safety fired pepper balls into the crowd. Austin officers then rushed forward to make arrests. Multiple people were detained as the scene cleared. Reporter Vinny Martorano said most left after hours of tension.

Mayor Watson’s Early Comments

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson held a press conference early. He stood with Police Chief Lisa Davis to give an update. Watson admitted they had few facts about the shooting. He said he was unhappy and angry about the event. He did not wait for the full investigation to speak.

Mayor Watson expressed unhappiness and anger regarding a shooting on Austin streets by someone purporting to be law enforcement, especially ICE. He claimed he was not surprised by the violence. He then blamed the federal agency for causing chaos.

Social media stories claimed the agent sideswiped the man first. Some reports said the man was shot five times through the back. Austin City Council members shared these unverified claims online. Police Chief Davis noted that these details were not accurate. She said, “That’s not what I’m hearing. I’m hearing that it was out on foot.”

What Officials Say Now

Police and officials say they still need more time. Chief Davis told reporters, “This is all very preliminary.” She warned against speaking before knowing the full story. She stated that appearing before cameras prematurely without information constitutes the [problem]. The facts on the ground remain limited right now.

Medical officials confirmed one person suffered a gunshot wound. They reported that one individual was identified as suffering from a gunshot wound. Although vital signs and the patient were stable, the condition remained serious. The man was later taken into ICE custody. Per RedState, the crowd eventually dispersed after police action.

Reports from the Austin American-Statesman confirmed the agent was federal. Three state and local officials provided a briefing on the incident. The city communications office said the man was talking at the hospital. No one has been charged yet as the probe continues. The public must wait for the official findings.