Federal prosecutors have charged Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan man shot by an ICE agent earlier this month in Austin, Texas, with assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer, according to the Associated Press, CBS News, The New York Times and The Daily Wire.
Prosecutors say Garces Perez struck an agent with his car's side-view mirror before another agent shot him, according to court documents cited by The New York Times and The Daily Wire. The Daily Wire reported the incident occurred on September 20 and that Garces Perez, 28, was allegedly fleeing at the time.
The Washington Post reported that an affidavit unsealed on Tuesday said the officer who fired the shot was not wearing a body camera, and that another officer present turned his camera off. The New York Times reported that body camera footage captured the incident.
Garces Perez has been described in reports as a delivery driver, according to CBS News. The Daily Wire and Independent Journal Review referred to him as an illegal immigrant, while other outlets described him as a Venezuelan national.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Associated Press, CBS News and The New York Times reported prosecutors charged Garces Perez with assaulting a federal officer.
- The New York Times reported body camera footage captured the incident.
- The Washington Post reported the shooting officer lacked a body camera and another officer's camera was turned off.
- CBS News described Garces Perez as a delivery driver.
“An affidavit unsealed on Tuesday said the officer who shot Wilber Garcés Pérez was not wearing a body camera and that another officer turned his camera off.” — The Washington Post
Right
- The Daily Wire identified Garces Perez as a 28-year-old Venezuelan national charged with assaulting, resisting and impeding a federal officer.
- The Daily Wire reported the incident occurred on September 20 and that he was allegedly fleeing when he struck the officer's mirror.
- Both right-leaning outlets referred to Garces Perez as an illegal immigrant or illegal alien.
“Venezuelan national Wilber Rafael Garces-Perez, 28, was charged with one count of assaulting, resisting and impeding a federal officer after he allegedly struck an officer with his car's side-view mirror while fleeing.” — The Daily Wire
Questions readers ask
What happened to Wilber Rafael Garces Perez?
Garces Perez, a Venezuelan national, was shot by an ICE agent in Austin, Texas, earlier this month. Federal prosecutors have since charged him with assaulting a federal officer, alleging he struck an agent with his car's side mirror before being shot.
Why was Garces Perez charged?
Prosecutors allege that Garces Perez struck a federal officer with his car's side-view mirror while allegedly fleeing, leading another agent to shoot him, according to The New York Times and The Daily Wire.
Was the shooting recorded on video?
Reports differ: The New York Times said a body camera captured the incident, while The Washington Post reported that the officer who fired the shot had no body camera and another officer turned his camera off.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets focused on the charging details, body camera discrepancies and described Garces Perez as a Venezuelan delivery driver. Right-leaning outlets emphasized his immigration status, referring to him as an illegal immigrant or illegal alien.
When did the shooting occur?
According to The Daily Wire, the shooting took place on September 20, with charges filed by federal prosecutors earlier this week.
Sources · 6 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningFederal prosecutors charge Venezuelan man shot by ICE agent in Texas with assaulting an officer
- CBS NewsLeft-leaningJustice Department charges Venezuelan man shot by ICE agent with assaulting an officer
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningBody Camera Captured Incident Between ICE Agent and Driver in Austin
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningImmigrant shot by ICE in Austin is charged with assault
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningVenezuelan Man Charged With Assault After Shooting by ICE Officer
- The Daily WireRight-leaningFeds Charge Illegal Immigrant Shot By ICE