Following the fatal July 7 shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Houston, the Texas Rangers have been tapped to conduct an investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the family’s attorney claims that a substance found in the victim’s van, initially suspected by the FBI to be narcotics, was simply salt used by the construction crew to combat the Texas heat.
Texas Rangers Join Investigation Into July 7 Shooting
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed Wednesday that the Texas Rangers will conduct an investigation into the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. The move follows a formal request made Tuesday by Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz Jr. to the DPS director. Salgado Araujo was shot and killed the morning of July 7 after he was pursued by federal agents driving unmarked vehicles while he was taking his crew to a construction job site in Houston’s Magnolia Park.
The Rangers, who did not have access to the initial scene, are set to work alongside the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In a statement, the DPS emphasized that it is standard practice for the Rangers to investigate officer-involved shootings when requested by local or federal law enforcement. “As previously stated, for decades, it has been the standard, established practice of the Texas Rangers to investigate OIS when requested by an involved law enforcement agency – local, state or federal – or a prosecuting entity,” the statement said. The agency noted that such requests are typically received within minutes or hours of an incident to “preserve the integrity of the investigation.”
Mayor Whitmire stated that the investigation will be thorough and independent, involving the Harris County District Attorney, the Rangers, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. Whitmire also called for the federal government to implement body cameras and stronger training for ICE officers to improve transparency and public trust.
Family Attorney Disputes FBI Search Warrant Findings
A federal search warrant application, which was filed Tuesday and signed by a judge, revealed that an FBI agent who was outside the van looked inside and saw “several plastic bags” that he observed contained “a white crystal-like substance.” The FBI filed the warrant application saying an agent found small bags in the vehicle he believed could contain drugs. The FBI has declined to comment to NBC News on whether the agency has executed the search warrant or whether any seized items tested positive for illegal drugs.
Ruby L. Powers, the attorney representing Salgado Araujo’s brother, stated Thursday that the substance was not illicit. “Our understanding is that this was granulated salt, which is paired with lemon and water as a homemade electrolyte mix used by outdoor workers in extreme Texas heat, not methamphetamine or any other illicit substance,” Powers said. She is currently demanding the substance be tested immediately “so that their names can be cleared.” She is also calling for the release of Salgado Araujo’s brother, who was taken into custody following the shooting.
“A search warrant does not equate to guilt,” Powers said. “An unidentified substance is not a confirmed narcotic.”
City Hall Tensions Rise Over ICE Presence
The legal developments come amid growing public unrest in Houston. During a City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 14, more than 100 people crowded into City Hall to plead with council members to stand up against federal officials and remove immigration agents from the city. Protesters outside chanted “ICE out of Houston” while the chamber proceedings were underway.
Mayor Whitmire on Wednesday criticized the behavior during the public comment session, noting that some speakers used explicit language and took the Lord’s name in vain. Whitmire stated, “Those that are using this tragedy for either political purposes, to build their organization, to incite folks – this should not be the venue.” While acknowledging the protest was protected by the First Amendment, he described the behavior as disruptive and stated that protestors had also appeared at his home, declaring, We’re not going to allow that again.
While the investigation continues, the Department of Homeland Security has maintained that Salgado Araujo was not the intended target of the immigration agents. Federal officials have claimed that Salgado Araujo attempted to run over agents, though the agency has not provided evidence of its claims.
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