HOUSTON – State Sen. Carol Alvarado is raising new questions about an FBI search warrant that says investigators found multiple bags containing a “white crystal-like substance” they believe “is consistent with methamphetamine” inside Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s work van. The details comes a little more than a week since the fatal shooting by ICE agent in Houston.
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The warrant, filed July 14, is the latest public filing connected to the July 7 shooting in the Magnolia Park neighborhood. In an affidavit, FBI investigators sought authorization to search Salgado Araujo’s work van for evidence tied to potential federal drug offenses, including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and simple possession.
According to the search warrant affidavit, FBI agents said they inspected the vehicle “while staying outside” and observed “several plastic bags with what appeared to be a white crystal-like substance packaged in small plastic bags.” Investigators wrote that three plastic bags were visible on the center dashboard between the driver and passenger seats, with another small plastic bag seen on the passenger-side floorboard.
Alvarado, who represents the area in Austin, said the warrant’s claims don’t square with what authorities had previously shared publicly in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
“If they had found that, that seems like they would have said something about that last week,” Alvarado said. “So, I’m very questioning the legitimacy of it and… let’s say if it was true, you don’t shoot somebody, you don’t kill somebody because of that.”
Alvarado also pointed to what she described as Araujo’s background, saying he had no criminal record and was close to finalizing paperwork to become a legal resident.
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Araujo was shot and killed July 7 while driving to pick up construction workers, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which said he and three other men were not the target of the operation.
DHS told KPRC 2 an ICE agent acted in self-defense after Araujo allegedly “weaponized” his work van by trying to run over an agent. But the three other men inside the van have disputed that account.
The case has drawn increasing scrutiny from local and state leaders, including calls for an outside investigation.
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Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas Rangers will investigate the fatal shooting. Alvarado welcomed that move, while saying she wished it had happened sooner so investigators could have been on scene immediately after the shooting.
“My hope is that they will do a very legitimate, unbiased investigation,” she said, noting the Rangers have previously investigated shootings involving ICE agents.
Alvarado said the incident has reverberated across the community.
“Our community is hurting. We are heartbroken for the Salgado family,” she said, adding that the shooting occurred less than two blocks from her home. “People are scared to go to the grocery store, to go to church, to go work!”
She also called for better coordination during federal operations in neighborhoods where residents may not know what is happening in real time.
“What ICE should do is coordinate better with HPD and say, this is where we’re gonna be operating,” Alvarado said. “It has struck fear into our communities.”