Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare has emphasized the readiness of his office to prosecute federal immigration agents if criminal wrongdoing is discovered in a recent fatal shooting. The incident, involving Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, occurred on July 7 in Houston by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.
Teare has initiated an independent and transparent investigation, with local investigators issuing numerous subpoenas. He stresses the need for accountability, stating, “You can’t come into our community, take someone’s life, and then hide behind a badge.”
The Department of Homeland Security claims Salgado Araujo used his van as a weapon during a traffic stop. However, Salgado Araujo’s family disputes these allegations, describing him as a caring father who lived in the U.S. for over three decades.
The investigation encompasses potential charges, including murder and evidence tampering. Teare noted a lack of cooperation from ICE, which has not provided any names of agents involved in the shooting.
In the wake of another shooting involving an ICE officer in Maine, ICE has temporarily stopped vehicle pursuits by deportation agents until new guidelines are issued. Teare’s office has filed paperwork to secure visas for witnesses of the Houston shooting, preventing their deportation during the investigation. These witnesses, including Salgado Araujo’s brother, are currently in ICE custody in Texas.
Juan Proaño, CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens, is advocating for federal officials to ensure the witnesses are not deported. He insists that a complete and independent investigation is crucial.