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Timeline: Fatal shootings involving ICE agents since 2025, including in Texas

Houston shooting renews scrutiny of ICE use of force

A U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement Officer (ICE) directs passengers standing in a TSA security screening line at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on March 26, 2026. (Gage Goulding, Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expands immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s second administration, several fatal shootings involving ICE agents have drawn national attention.

The latest happened on July 7 in Houston, where 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed during what the government called an ICE enforcement operation.

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His death has renewed scrutiny of the agency’s use of force and prompted calls from elected officials and civil rights organizations for an independent investigation.

According to The Associated Press, Salgado Araujo is at least the eighth person known to have died during ICE enforcement actions since January 2025.

Texas ICE shootings

March 2025: Ruben Ray Martinez, South Padre Island

Date: March 2025

Location: South Padre Island, Texas

Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was driving with his friend, Joshua Orta, on South Padre Island. Martinez was trying to drive around an accident when an officer told him to stop.

Officers said he bumped the leg of one of the officers with his car and then was repeatedly shot and killed.

July 7, 2026: Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Houston

Date: July 7, 2026

Location: Houston

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by an ICE agent during a targeted enforcement operation in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood.

According to ICE, Salgado Araujo ignored verbal commands and attempted to drive his van toward an officer, prompting the agent to fire in self-defense.

His family disputes that version of events, saying he was on his way to work and may not have realized the unmarked vehicles surrounding him were federal agents. His relatives, community leaders and elected officials have called for an independent, transparent investigation. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General are investigating the shooting.

According to ICE, agents said Salgado Araujo attempted to run over an officer and the shooting was in self-defense.

Related: Deadly immigration-related shooting happened in Texas

Although this timeline focuses on ICE shootings, another fatal shooting involving a different federal immigration agency occurred in Texas on the same day as the Houston incident.

On July 7, authorities said Ryan Louis Mosqueda, 27, opened fire outside a U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, injuring a Border Patrol employee and a McAllen police officer before Border Patrol agents and local officers returned fire, killing him.

The FBI is investigating the incident.

While both ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol fall under the Department of Homeland Security, they are separate agencies with different missions.

The McAllen shooting is not included in the ICE timeline above, but it has become part of the broader discussion in Texas about federal immigration enforcement and the use of force.


Other fatal ICE shootings

Sept. 12, 2025: Silverio Villegas González, Chicago

ICE agents conducting what they described as a targeted enforcement operation stopped Silverio Villegas González’s vehicle.

According to ICE, Villegas González resisted arrest and attempted to drive over officers before an agent fatally shot him.

ICE said the officer acted in self-defense after the vehicle allegedly threatened agents.


Dec. 31, 2025: Keith Porter Jr., Los Angeles

Keith Porter Jr., 43, was shot and killed by an off-duty ICE agent outside an apartment complex after the agent responded to reports of gunfire.

The agent said Porter was armed and posed a threat. Family members have disputed that account, saying Porter was likely firing celebratory gunshots for New Year’s Eve.

ICE said the off-duty agent acted in self-defense.


Jan. 7, 2026: Renee Good, Minneapolis

Authorities said Renee Good was ordered out of her vehicle before reversing her vehicle as an ICE officer approached.

The officer fired three shots, killing her.

Department of Homeland Security said the officer believed Good posed an immediate threat and acted in self-defense.


Jan. 24, 2026: Alex Pretti, Minneapolis

The Department of Homeland Security said ICE officers shot Alex Pretti after he refused to disarm himself.

Video later circulated showing an officer removing a handgun from Pretti’s waistband before firing while Pretti was on the ground, prompting questions about the government’s initial account.

Department of Homeland Security said officers said they acted in self-defense after Pretti refused to surrender his weapon.