Turning Point USA Responds to Lawyer Over Deleted Post Regarding ICE Shooting

<p>Turning Point USA (TPUSA) spokesman Andrew Kolvet responded on Thursday to the attorney representing a Venezuelan man shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Austin, Texas. Kolvet referred to the attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, and her client, 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, as a "perfect match" after Lincoln-Goldfinch faced criticism for a deleted social media post referencing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.</p><p>Kolvet, who is also the executive producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," stated that TPUSA supports the federal immigration officers involved in the incident while criticizing Lincoln-Goldfinch. He said, "We stand with our brave men and women of ICE who are defending American sovereignty and keeping American citizens safe. While everyone is entitled to their defense, it's not surprising the quality of lawyer an illegal alien from Venezuela attracts who had a final notice of deportation before leading law enforcement on a dangerous high-speed chase."</p><p>Lincoln-Goldfinch drew criticism for a post that questioned how someone could resist being shot while invoking Kirk. She stated, "How do you resist getting shot in the neck? Does Charlie Kirk have any advice on that?" After backlash, she removed the post, explaining that it could be interpreted differently than intended.</p><p>In a statement to Fox News Digital, she said, "A post referencing the death of Charlie Kirk was removed from our account. We recognized the post could be misconstrued and that's why it came down. We have also addressed this issue internally."</p><p>New evidence regarding the ICE operation that resulted in Garces Perez being shot has emerged. Surveillance footage showed at least two federal law enforcement vehicles pursuing Garces Perez's vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated prior to the shooting. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the video's authenticity.</p><p>Lincoln-Goldfinch has disputed the federal government's account, claiming that Garces Perez was working as a DoorDash driver when an unmarked vehicle struck his car and that he was unaware federal agents were pursuing him. She has also challenged DHS's characterization of his immigration status.</p><p>DHS stated that Garces Perez is a Venezuelan national with a final order of removal and was the subject of a targeted vehicle stop. The department also noted that his work authorization had expired in 2025 and disputed claims regarding his treatment after the shooting.</p><p>DHS remarked, "No amount of smears and false narratives will slow down ICE from doing its job to arrest illegal aliens from our communities."</p><p>Austin police released body-camera footage showing officers arriving immediately after the shooting and assisting Garces Perez from his vehicle. This footage contradicted earlier claims that federal agents pulled him from the car, although it did not capture the shooting itself.</p><p>The shooting has moved into federal court, with Lincoln-Goldfinch's firm filing a lawsuit to prevent Garces Perez's immediate removal. A federal judge has ordered that he remain in the country to attend a hearing scheduled for September 30.</p><p>The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation, with Homeland Security Investigations, assisted by the FBI, leading the federal inquiry, while Austin authorities are also reviewing evidence related to the encounter.</p>