Houston, Texas — A family attorney is challenging the federal government’s account of the fatal ICE shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, saying witnesses inside the vehicle contradict the agency’s claim that he used his van as a weapon.
Attorney Hugo Balderas-Ibarra said he spoke with three men who were riding with Salgado Araujo when he was shot Tuesday. According to Balderas-Ibarra, the witnesses said Salgado Araujo did not ram ICE agents and did not place officers’ lives in danger.
DHS has said Salgado Araujo, a Mexican immigrant, attempted to evade arrest, rammed an ICE vehicle, ignored commands, and “weaponized” his vehicle before an officer fired in self-defense. That account remains disputed.
The Washington Post reported that detained passengers said unmarked ICE vehicles approached from the sides and that no officers were positioned in front of or behind the van. AP reported that Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) said ICE officials told her Salgado Araujo was not the intended target of the operation.
Salgado Araujo’s family says he had lived in the United States for 35 years, worked in homebuilding, and was driving to a job site. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is investigating, while relatives and advocates continue to call for an independent review.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
