HOUSTON – U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz on Thursday issued his first public statement about the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by a federal immigration agent in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood, saying multiple agencies continue to investigate the incident and urging the public to allow the investigation to run its course.
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Reitz, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas, released a video statement outlining what he described as preliminary information gathered by federal investigators. He emphasized that authorities have not reached any final conclusions.
“I want to assure the public that the appropriate law enforcement agencies are looking into this matter,” Reitz said. “That includes my office, the FBI, DHS, and other state and local partners.”
Reitz describes investigators’ preliminary findings
According to Reitz, federal officers were investigating two Guatemalan men believed to be driving a white van on the morning of July 7. He said the men had previously evaded arrest and were potentially subject to deportation.
Reitz said agents initially attempted to stop what they believed was the suspects’ van after spotting a similar vehicle in the area.
Statement from @USAttyReitz on the shooting and death of Lorenzo Salgado. Video below. Written statement here:https://t.co/vVvCzMilVF@USAttorneys pic.twitter.com/XwO5PqiV2J
— US Attorney SDTX (@USAO_SDTX) July 16, 2026
“The officers’ two vehicles, each with two officers inside, turned on their police lights and attempted to pull over the van,” Reitz said.
According to his statement, the van made a rapid U-turn, crossed a median and fled. Reitz said agents chose not to pursue the vehicle at that time.
Later that morning, agents encountered the van again and surrounded it, Reitz said.
He said preliminary information indicates officers instructed the men to put the van in park, but the driver instead shifted into reverse and then forward while an officer was either partially inside the van or immediately beside it.
“During this confrontation between federal agents and a group of illegal aliens attempting to flee, one of the officers fired a single shot,” Reitz said. “The round struck Lorenzo Salgado.”
Reitz said the other officers immediately began providing first aid before Salgado was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Search warrant executed on van
Reitz also referenced a development first reported this week involving the vehicle.
He said officers observed “several small bags of a white, crystal-like substance” inside the van after the shooting.
“As a result, just yesterday the FBI executed a search warrant on the van in connection with possible narcotics trafficking and drug offenses,” Reitz said.
Court records previously obtained by Click2Houston showed the FBI sought the search warrant after agents reported seeing the suspected substance in plain view inside the work van.
The warrant affidavit stated investigators planned to test the substance and search the vehicle for additional evidence related to possible drug offenses.
Case has drawn widespread attention
The shooting has sparked protests and calls for transparency from community members, elected officials and Salgado’s family.
According to previous statements from the Department of Homeland Security, Salgado was not the original target of the immigration operation. Federal officials have said ICE agents were attempting to locate another person with a final order of removal when they encountered Salgado.
DHS has previously said an ICE agent fired in self-defense after Salgado allegedly used the van in a manner that placed an officer in danger.
Salgado’s family and their attorneys have disputed the federal government’s account and have continued calling for the release of additional evidence surrounding the shooting.
Earlier this week, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office said it remains involved in the investigation, while the FBI continues to lead the federal review.
Investigation status
Reitz stressed Thursday that his office is not making any final determinations while the investigation remains active.
“We draw no decisive conclusions and believe federal law enforcement will conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.
“We are doing everything we can to seek the truth and do the right thing. In the meantime, I encourage the public to give the FBI and DHS the opportunity to investigate. Let the justice system work.”
No timeline has been announced for when investigators expect to complete their review.