HOUSTON – Houston Mayor John Whitmire says the city is not in a position to launch its own investigation into a deadly shooting tied to an ICE operation because the Houston Police Department was not involved and the city has no jurisdiction over the incident.
“We are calling for our federal partners to conduct a transparent investigation,” Whitmire said. “If I have any updates I will let council know.”
Recommended Videos
The jurisdiction question was front and center at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, where several council members began by offering condolences to the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed on Tuesday during an ICE operation in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood.
In a statement, Whitmire said:
I have been clear, including in my remarks before City Council, that I support the families’ and the community’s call for a thorough, transparent, and credible investigation into the shooting of Mr. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. I believe this effort should be coordinated with our local and federal partners, including Texas’ two United States Senators, to ensure the investigation has the full authority and access necessary to establish the facts.
This is a tragedy. A life was lost, and my thoughts remain with the individual’s family and loved ones as they endure an unimaginable loss. Our community feels the weight of that loss as well.
The City of Houston does not control federal immigration policy, nor does it have jurisdiction over federal law enforcement officers. A local inquiry cannot supersede a federal investigation, and the City does not have access to the evidence, witnesses, or investigative authorities needed to conduct a complete review of federal actions.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire
About five council members—including Edward Pollard, Alejandra Salinas and Julian Ramirez—called for more information and transparency.
Council Member Pollard urged the mayor to call on local entities to canvas the neighborhood for surveillance video and encourage residents to turn in any photo or video evidence.
Pollard said he disagreed with the mayor’s response and argued the city can still take steps to gather facts.
“I’m a personal injury attorney by day,” Pollard said. “If there was an accident on an intersection or on a street, I could go out there and talk to private business owners and get camera footage. I can talk to residents. I can try and find witnesses. I can see if there were any other accessible cameras that we would have jurisdiction over.”
When asked whether the mayor would move forward with his requests, Pollard said he did not get a response.
“When I asked (Whitmire) directly today if he had any updates and my sentiments that we need to do all that we can to show the public that we are doing our own independent investigation for clarity and answers, I got no response,” Pollard said.
The shooting has sparked protests, and council members said a thorough and transparent investigation and open dialogue with community partners like LULAC could help prevent unrest across the city. About six council members said they planned to attend a protest later in the day.
On Wednesday afternoon, KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry witnessed five investigators from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office show up to the scene where the shooting happened.