The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office in Texas determined that the death of Mexican migrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the torso inflicted by an ICE agent.
Although the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed self-defense, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) obtained key security camera footage showing unmarked vehicles pursuing and cutting off Salgado’s van; he was shot dead after stepping out of the vehicle. Following the medical examiner’s ruling, Houston Mayor John Whitmire asked the metropolitan police to conduct their own investigation, though he stated on social media that he would share findings with the FBI—which is now leading the federal investigation—and the DHS.
Harris County is also conducting a parallel inquiry, according to prosecutor Sean Teare. Salgado Araujo, 52, had lived in Houston for 35 years, had no criminal record, and owned a small construction company; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) admitted he was not their intended target.
Hours after Salgado was fatally shot in the torso, the DHS released a statement claiming agents fired in self-defense because the Mexican man had allegedly rammed them with his vehicle.
Yesterday, Salgado’s family held his funeral and reiterated their demand for justice. Salgado Araujo’s eldest son, a U.S. citizen, said he has received hate messages. Following the fatal attack on his father, he called on federal authorities during a press conference to conduct an investigation that includes footage from the body cameras ICE agents were required to wear.
“My father was a hardworking and honest man. That is how we want the world to remember him,” Ronaldo Salgado stated to the press this week.
