ICE Agent Shoots and Kills Long-Term Resident in Texas After Mistaken Identity Stop

The state of Texas will launch an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by a federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent last week. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state law enforcement agency, the Texas Rangers, will cooperate with federal officials to thoroughly investigate the case, which has sparked public outcry. “Immigration laws can be enforced, and stopping illegal immigration across our border can be achieved, without having to shoot people,” Abbott told reporters on Wednesday.

The incident began on the morning of 7 July. An ICE agent intercepted Lorenzo, 52, who was driving to work. The stop ended in a shooting that killed the father of three, who had resided in the U.S. for 35 years. According to U.S. Congresswoman Silvia Garcia, the ICE agent on duty was not wearing a body camera during the operation.

Initially, ICE accused Lorenzo of “using his vehicle as a weapon,” forcing the officer to shoot in self-defence. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later acknowledged that Lorenzo was not the target of the operation. ICE stopped him only because he was driving a white van and resembled the intended target.

The victim’s family has strongly refuted the government’s version of events. Tensions escalated further when an FBI search warrant document mentioned the discovery of a plastic bag containing a white crystalline substance in the victim’s car, suspected to be methamphetamine.

This claim was immediately dismissed by Ruby Powers, the lawyer for the victim’s brother, who was also in the car at the time of the incident. “Based on consultations with my client and his family, our understanding is that the substance was granulated salt mixed with lemon and water as a homemade electrolyte blend. This drink is commonly used by field workers in the extreme Texas heat, not methamphetamine or any other illicit substance,” Powers explained.

This statement was supported by Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, who believes the package did not contain drugs. His office is now awaiting the results of FBI laboratory tests.

Lorenzo’s death has left deep sorrow. His son, Ronaldo Salgado, said he learned his father had been shot from an amateur video circulating on social media. “I recognised him immediately, not from his appearance, but from his voice screaming for help as he lay on the road,” Ronaldo said. He added that the three men with his father at the time of the incident, including his uncle, were immediately detained by immigration authorities.

Lorenzo’s case, followed by another fatal shooting of a Colombian immigrant in Maine, has reignited fierce debate over the use of force by ICE. Despite the criticism, President Donald Trump on Tuesday reaffirmed that ICE will continue to conduct traffic stops as a key tactic in immigration enforcement.