‘We need the facts’: Houston leaders, LULAC call for independent probe into fatal ICE shooting

HOUSTON – Houston leaders and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) are calling for an independent investigation after an ICE agent fatally shot an undocumented immigrant during an attempted arrest Tuesday in east Houston.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who was in the U.S. illegally, was shot and killed Tuesday in east Houston after reportedly trying to run over an agent, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to LULAC, family members said Salgado Araujo was on his way to pick up workers Tuesday morning.

According to ICE, he was pulled over by agents during an attempted traffic stop in the 6800 block of Canal Street as part of a “targeted enforcement operation to arrest an illegal alien.”

Officials said Araujo attempted to flee the scene.

ICE said Araujo attempted to ram an ICE law enforcement vehicle, refused multiple verbal commands and used his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE agent. The agent then fired his weapon in self-defense, according to the agency.

Araujo was struck and later pronounced dead at a hospital, officials said.

Houston leaders call for independent investigation

Congressman Christian Menefee calls for an independent and transparent investigation.

“I fully support an independent and transparent investigation into this shooting. All information gleaned from that investigation must be made public,” Menefee said in a statement. “ICE’s actions across the country have caused them to lose the faith and confidence of communities. We must ensure transparency in this investigation.”

Menefee said his heart is with everyone affected by the shooting and that he will continue to monitor the investigation.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said they will collaborate with federal agencies.

“This morning’s shooting in the 6800 block of Canal Street is currently an active federal investigation,” said spokesperson Courtney Fischer with Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Our office will collaborate with federal authorities to ensure a thorough local review of the evidence.”

Council member Alejandra Salinas said she is deeply concerned about the use of deadly force and called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the prompt release of all available video and investigative findings.

Read Salinas’ full statement:

“The fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent during an operation in Houston’s East End this morning is deeply concerning. The use of deadly force demands full scrutiny and transparency. I am calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the prompt release of all available video and investigative findings. The public deserves a timely account of what happened, clear answers, and accountability. My office has reached out to the appropriate City departments to determine what additional information is available and whether any City personnel or resources were involved in the incident.”

Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin released the following statement:

“I share our community’s deep concern: an interaction with ICE has left one person dead in Magnolia Park. I was just in the neighborhood meeting with residents last night. There must be a complete and transparent investigation, and my office stands ready to support our community and any local investigation into how this tragedy unfolded.”

• FIRST REPORT: ICE agent shoots, kills undocumented immigrant from Mexico during attempted arrest

LULAC calls for independent investigation

LULAC also called Tuesday for an independent investigation into the shooting, saying ICE’s account of the incident should not be accepted without additional evidence.

LULAC officials questioned ICE’s assertion that Salgado Araujo used his vehicle to ram law enforcement vehicles and attempted to run over an agent before he was shot. The organization said photos taken from videos recorded by witnesses appeared to show little to no visible damage to Salgado Araujo’s vehicle, though officials acknowledged they have not reviewed all of the evidence.

“We need the facts,” LULAC National Vice President for the Southwest Lupe Torres said. “We are calling for meaningful oversight and a rigorous examination of what happened, not a quiet review, but a full accounting of what has gone on in Houston.”

LULAC is calling for the release of all available evidence, including body camera footage, dash camera video, dispatch logs and bystander recordings. The organization also wants local authorities, including the Houston Police Department and Harris County District Attorney’s Office, to participate in the investigation rather than leaving it solely to federal agencies.

Former LULAC National President Domingo Garcia said the organization is also offering a $5,000 reward for information, video or witness testimony that could help determine whether the shooting was justified or lead to criminal charges or exoneration of those involved.

Garcia said LULAC has sent investigators to meet with Salgado Araujo’s family but had not yet received additional information.

Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General is leading an investigation into the shooting.

FBI Houston is leading an investigation into the potential assault on a federal law enforcement officer.