Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan delivery driver, underwent surgery on Thursday to remove a bullet that had been lodged in his back for nearly two weeks. This incident occurred after he was shot by a federal immigration agent in Texas last month.
Background
Garces Pérez appeared in court on Wednesday in a wheelchair, wearing a sling on his arm. He remains in custody on charges of assaulting an officer while attempting to evade arrest. Supporters and representatives have been advocating for him to receive surgery, citing concerns that the bullet's proximity to his spine could result in loss of feeling on the left side of his body.
On September 20, Garcés Pérez was involved in a traffic stop in Austin while driving for DoorDash. Authorities allege that he struck an officer with his side mirror while trying to drive away. The officer who shot him was not wearing a body camera during the incident.
