ICE agent shoots, wounds man in Austin

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U.S. Rep. Greg Casar speaks during a news conference at Austin City Hall, Sept. 20, 2026, after an ICE agent shot and wounded a man in North Austin, Texas. | Photo Credit: AP

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and wounded a man in Texas' capital of Austin, local authorities said, and anti-ICE protesters quickly gathered at the scene.

The unnamed man was in serious but stable condition at a hospital after being shot once in the torso on the city's north side Sunday afternoon (September 20, 2026), Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference with the mayor and other city officials.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not participate in the news conference and didn't immediately respond to requests for details.

Austin police officers were not involved in the operation or the shooting, which occurred after a traffic stop, Ms. Davis told reporters.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, a Democrat, said he wants the city's police department to be involved in the investigation so it can provide “clear, third-party eyes” in the process.

Mr. Watson said he does not think it would be appropriate for ICE to conduct an investigation on its own.

Austin residents have “a right to feel safe in their city,” Watson said. A proper investigation will only enhance credibility, he added.

Ms. Davis said she did not yet know the nationality of the person who was shot. The chief said there were not many facts she could provide so soon after the incident, but added that her department's special investigation unit was at the scene.

A dark blue Toyota Corolla was parked under an overpass with damage to its passenger-side door and what appeared to be bullet holes, local media reported.

A large law enforcement presence was at the scene, along with a crowd of about a hundred protesters. Some demonstrators cursed at police officers holding riot shields, while others yelled out as passing cars honked in support of the protest.

One man held a sign saying, “Nobody is safe” and, on the other side, “ICE Nazi.”

Asked if Austin authorities knew where the involved federal agent is, given that agents have left states after previous shootings nationwide, the mayor said: “We do not know that. But my hope would be that an agent that's involved in an officer-involved shooting would not leave the city. Certainly not leave the state."