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Reports: ICE agent who shot man in North Austin wasn't wearing a body camera

Federal officials had pledged to outfit all agents with cameras.

News

The ICE officer who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/22/garces-perez-shot-ice-austin-detention-south-texas" data-vars-content-id="fcbace50-2b87-4cb5-9ac2-7b00aa0f90df" data-vars-headline="Reports: ICE agent who shot man in North Austin wasn&#x27;t wearing a body camera" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/22/garces-perez-shot-ice-austin-detention-south-texas" target="_self">shot</a> a man in North Austin on Sunday was not wearing his agency-issued body camera, multiple national media outlets <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ice-officer-shot-man-austin-wasnt-wearing-body-camera-rcna599263" data-vars-content-id="fcbace50-2b87-4cb5-9ac2-7b00aa0f90df" data-vars-headline="Reports: ICE agent who shot man in North Austin wasn&#x27;t wearing a body camera" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ice-officer-shot-man-austin-wasnt-wearing-body-camera-rcna599263" target="_blank">reported</a>, citing anonymous sources.Why it matters: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pledged" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/ice-agents-body-cameras" data-vars-content-id="fcbace50-2b87-4cb5-9ac2-7b00aa0f90df" data-vars-headline="Reports: ICE agent who shot man in North Austin wasn&#x27;t wearing a body camera" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/ice-agents-body-cameras" target="_self">pledged</a> this summer to outfit all ICE agents with the cameras amid several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatal shootings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/07/lorenzo-salgado-araujo-ice-killing" data-vars-content-id="fcbace50-2b87-4cb5-9ac2-7b00aa0f90df" data-vars-headline="Reports: ICE agent who shot man in North Austin wasn&#x27;t wearing a body camera" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/07/lorenzo-salgado-araujo-ice-killing" target="_self">fatal shootings</a> and other use-of-force <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="incidents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/15/maine-killing-fatal-dhs-ice-shootings" data-vars-content-id="fcbace50-2b87-4cb5-9ac2-7b00aa0f90df" data-vars-headline="Reports: ICE agent who shot man in North Austin wasn&#x27;t wearing a body camera" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/15/maine-killing-fatal-dhs-ice-shootings" target="_self">incidents</a> nationwide.

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Austin

Breweries, parties and more in Austin and beyond.

Food and Drink

It&#x27;s Oktoberfest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/07/when-austin-s-leaves-will-peak-this-fall" data-vars-content-id="2fc7906b-1086-43d4-802b-63033f735246" data-vars-headline="Where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/07/when-austin-s-leaves-will-peak-this-fall" target="_self">season</a>, and you don&#x27;t have to go far to mark the occasion in Central Texas.Why it matters: Despite its name, the German <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/08/28/texas-breweries-craft-beer-slowdown" data-vars-content-id="2fc7906b-1086-43d4-802b-63033f735246" data-vars-headline="Where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/08/28/texas-breweries-craft-beer-slowdown" target="_self">beer</a> celebration begins in September. It&#x27;s a fun way to ring in the fall season and honor the region&#x27;s plentiful German heritage.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Austin

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="54367bc7-f187-46b0-b26c-ce6d12ca2cf6" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in East Austin on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Man shot by ICE in Austin now in detention in South Texas

Advocates for Wilber Rafael Garces Perez are racing to prevent his deportation.

The man <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shot by federal immigration agents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/21/ice-agent-shoots-austin-immigrant" data-vars-content-id="2cf34719-dc55-4803-baa4-8995217533f3" data-vars-headline="Man shot by ICE in Austin now in detention in South Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/21/ice-agent-shoots-austin-immigrant" target="_self">shot by federal immigration agents</a> on Sunday in North Austin was transferred to a detention facility in South Texas, his family&#x27;s attorney said Monday. Why it matters: Wilber Rafael Garces Perez&#x27;s lawyer and immigration advocates are racing to try to prevent him from being deported as they seek to learn what led to the shooting.

Feds probe Tesla's Cybercabs; Texas takes back seat

The autonomous vehicles have no human controls.

Tesla&#x27;s Cybercabs are carrying paying <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passengers in Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/04/tesla-cybercab-launch-austin" data-vars-content-id="0a75660b-e3a7-4ab4-9be6-04c685c6255d" data-vars-headline="Feds probe Tesla&#x27;s Cybercabs; Texas takes back seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/04/tesla-cybercab-launch-austin" target="_self">passengers in Austin</a>, even as federal regulators investigate whether the vehicles comply with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal safety standards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/04/tesla-cybercab-nhtsa-regulatory" data-vars-content-id="0a75660b-e3a7-4ab4-9be6-04c685c6255d" data-vars-headline="Feds probe Tesla&#x27;s Cybercabs; Texas takes back seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/04/tesla-cybercab-nhtsa-regulatory" target="_self">federal safety standards</a>.Why it matters: Texas authorizes companies to operate driverless vehicles without approving each vehicle model. Austin&#x27;s regulatory role is largely limited to coordination and emergency preparedness.

South Congress merchants fret about light rail

As it currently stands, the nearly 10-mile, all-electric train line will feature 15 stations.

Transit

Businesses on Austin&#x27;s trendy South Congress strip are worried about what <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="light rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/01/14/austin-light-rail-plan-renderings-texas" data-vars-content-id="6767a5f8-9d79-4461-aaab-8bb6810f46b4" data-vars-headline="South Congress merchants fret about light rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/01/14/austin-light-rail-plan-renderings-texas" target="_self">light rail</a> construction will mean for their bottom lines.Why it matters: When the planned light rail project — already delayed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/23/austin-light-rail-plan" data-vars-content-id="6767a5f8-9d79-4461-aaab-8bb6810f46b4" data-vars-headline="South Congress merchants fret about light rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/23/austin-light-rail-plan" target="_self">politics</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inflation and redesigns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/03/14/austin-light-rail-airport-plan" data-vars-content-id="6767a5f8-9d79-4461-aaab-8bb6810f46b4" data-vars-headline="South Congress merchants fret about light rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/03/14/austin-light-rail-airport-plan" target="_self">inflation and redesigns</a> — finally does break ground, expect lots of orange cones and parking disruptions as construction turns the area into a jackhammer and steamroller zone.

What it's like to ride in a self-driving car

A growing number of Austinites will have access to the technology as Waymo's cars become available on the Uber app Tuesday.

I recently took a trip across town in a Waymo car, which — starting Tuesday — is available for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" data-vars-content-id="a0be9f2e-defa-4f55-9749-44cdfa07a18f" data-vars-headline="What it&#x27;s like to ride in a self-driving car" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" target="_self">Austin</a> riders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exclusively on the Uber app" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/05/austinites-can-opt-in-to-waymo-rides-on-uber" data-vars-content-id="a0be9f2e-defa-4f55-9749-44cdfa07a18f" data-vars-headline="What it&#x27;s like to ride in a self-driving car" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/05/austinites-can-opt-in-to-waymo-rides-on-uber" target="_self">exclusively on the Uber app</a>.Why it matters: A growing number of Austin residents now have access to the technology, and Waymo and Uber officials say they plan to expand the cars&#x27; service area in the future.

Austinites can opt in to Waymo rides on Uber

Waymo and Uber announced their partnership last fall to bring robotaxis to Austin.

Uber riders in Austin can now increase their chances of being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="matched with a fully autonomous vehicle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/09/13/waymo-uber-autonomous-ride-hailing-austin-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="8d6b4898-3e41-4e41-97fd-fd2bb793361e" data-vars-headline="Austinites can opt in to Waymo rides on Uber" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/09/13/waymo-uber-autonomous-ride-hailing-austin-atlanta" target="_self">matched with a fully autonomous vehicle</a> for trips around town.Why it matters: Waymo has been testing driverless taxi services in Austin since last year, but its partnership with Uber will make the cars more widely available.

Austin light rail plan renderings unveiled

The nearly 10-mile, all-electric train line will feature 15 stations.

Politics

Austin&#x27;s revamped light-rail plan is coming into clearer focus.The big picture: Releasing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atptx.org/milestones/austin-light-rail-progress-update/" data-vars-content-id="ae9aed40-1d04-4eee-a635-fff32e37931c" data-vars-headline="Austin light rail plan renderings unveiled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atptx.org/milestones/austin-light-rail-progress-update/" target="_blank">a draft</a> of the project as it goes to federal regulators, transit planners say construction is on track to start in two years.

Austin residents and first responders report issues with robotaxis

Local officials have little authority over the vehicles.

Complaints against self-driving taxis in Austin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="haven&#x27;t slowed since the cars first arrived in the area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/09/07/robotaxis-texas-crashes" data-vars-content-id="de22ea57-59b2-4eff-acd8-a63c7e6b68b8" data-vars-headline="Austin residents and first responders report issues with robotaxis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/09/07/robotaxis-texas-crashes" target="_self">haven&#x27;t slowed since the cars first arrived in the area</a>, according to records from the city&#x27;s Transportation and Public Works department.Why it matters: General Motors announced this week that it will shut down its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cruise robotaxi project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/12/gm-cruise-robotaxi" data-vars-content-id="de22ea57-59b2-4eff-acd8-a63c7e6b68b8" data-vars-headline="Austin residents and first responders report issues with robotaxis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/12/gm-cruise-robotaxi" target="_self">Cruise robotaxi project</a> nationally, and the Austin records show that the company and other self-driving car companies have faced an uphill battle in gaining public trust.

Austin receives $48 million EPA grant

Austin was the only city in Texas selected for the program.

City officials say they&#x27;ll use a nearly $48 million grant to expand and promote access to cleaner modes of transit, part of an EPA program that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Why it matters: The Texas Department of Transportation is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving forward with plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/03/13/i-35-expansion-project-construction" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/03/13/i-35-expansion-project-construction" target="_self">moving forward with plans</a> to overhaul I-35, which is expected to lead to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more trucks and cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/02/13/i-35-traffic-busy-semi-trucks" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/02/13/i-35-traffic-busy-semi-trucks" target="_self">more trucks and cars</a> on our already busy roads, and city officials fear that road closures and delays will increase air pollution by single-occupant vehicles.<ul><li>Meanwhile, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction for the 9.8-mile" data-vars-click-url="https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/transportation/2024/03/25/71b-project-connect-light-rail-to-break-ground-in-2027/" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/transportation/2024/03/25/71b-project-connect-light-rail-to-break-ground-in-2027/" target="_blank">construction for the 9.8-mile</a> Project Connect light rail system is scheduled to begin in 2027, which could also impact traffic.</li></ul>

School spring breaks, SXSW misaligned

Historically, SXSW and UT, AISD spring break have coincided.

Austin could feel a lot more crowded next March.South by Southwest and spring break for area schools have been scheduled for different weeks, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the first time since 2019" data-vars-click-url="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/in-2019-sxsw-wont-line-up-with-austin-isd-ut-spring-break" data-vars-content-id="2d1fa9ca-aa1b-465e-94eb-2e1c7bc1aa5e" data-vars-headline="School spring breaks, SXSW misaligned" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/in-2019-sxsw-wont-line-up-with-austin-isd-ut-spring-break" target="_blank">the first time since 2019</a> that there&#x27;s been a misalignment.

Longhorn Dam bridge gets federal funding

A planned East Austin pedestrian bridge now has federal cash behind it.Driving the news: U.S. Rep. Greg Casar announced Thursday that the city has received more than $4 million through Congress&#x27; Community Project Funding to complete the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Longhorn Dam.

Austin's I-35 expansion construction timeline sharpens

Construction is scheduled to start this year and stretch through 2032.

The timeline of the state&#x27;s multibillion-dollar I-35 overhaul is coming into focus, and Austin commuters may want to reacquaint themselves with a map of the city as they try to ferret out shortcuts.Why it matters: The misery of moving north and south at rush hour through Austin&#x27;s chief arteries is about to get a lot worse.

Abbott targets Texas cities' rainbow crosswalks

Houston

Mini trucks are about to be big in Texas

Dallas

Texas has the second-highest number of fatal crashes nationwide

A line chart showing the rate of traffic fatalities in Texas from 1975 to 2022. In 2022, there were 4408 fatalities or a rate of 14.6 per 100k residents.

Annual rate of traffic fatalities in Texas, 1975â2022

Data: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, St. Louis Federal Reserve; Chart: Axios Visuals

Transit 🚗

Feds probe Tesla's Cybercabs; Texas takes back seat

South Congress merchants fret about light rail

Abbott targets Texas cities' rainbow crosswalks

Mini trucks are about to be big in Texas

Texas has the second-highest number of fatal crashes nationwide