Austin man shot by ICE officer pleads not guilty to federal assault charge

Wilber Rafael Garces Perez has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of assaulting an ICE officer who shot him in Austin. The incident has sparked significant debate over law enforcement practices and the treatment of immigrants. Perez’s plea comes after a grand jury indicted him for resisting and obstructing the officer, highlighting ongoing tensions between immigrant communities and federal immigration enforcement. This case underscores the broader implications for civil rights and the legal treatment of individuals in encounters with ICE agents.