Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Houston on July 7 after officers chased his white work van through city streets. The incident occurred in front of his work crew, including his brother. Salgado Araujo had lived in the United States without legal status for 35 years while operating a homebuilding business and had no prior legal troubles.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Salgado Araujo rammed his van into ICE vehicles and attempted to run over an officer, prompting the officer to fire in self-defense. However, at least two passengers present in the van have disputed this account, asserting that officers crashed into the vehicle and were positioned safely on its sides rather than in immediate danger when the fatal shot was fired. The three passengers in the van were arrested and remain in immigration detention. Body cameras were not in use during the incident.
During a congressional hearing conducted by Democratic members, Salgado Araujo’s two sons provided prepared testimony describing their father as a hardworking family man who had supported his children through college. They stated he would not have fled from officers had he recognized them as law enforcement, noting the vehicles were unmarked. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare reported that his office was pursuing an investigation but that the Department of Homeland Security had not responded to requests for evidence or identification of the officer involved.
Following the incident, the FBI executed a search warrant on the van, citing white substance found inside that appeared to be methamphetamine. The family characterized this as “absurd” and identified the substance as a salt-based electrolyte mixture used by workers. Teare subsequently stated on social media that testing showed the substance contained no illegal drugs. Democratic Representative Sylvia Garcia stated that a congressional delegation had sent multiple letters to DHS and ICE without receiving responses, and that department representatives declined an invitation to attend the hearing.
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