A federal immigration agent shot and killed a Mexican national during a targeted enforcement operation in Houston’s East End, sparking demands for an independent investigation and raising questions about the use of deadly force during immigration arrests.
What Happened During the Operation
The deadly encounter occurred near Canal and Wayside streets on a Tuesday morning around 6:50 a.m. Federal agents were conducting a targeted operation to arrest Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, identified by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a Mexican national accused of being in the country illegally. Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the moments before the shooting, showing a white van traveling on Wayside before turning onto Canal Street, followed by two dark SUVs.
According to ICE officials, Araujo attempted to evade arrest by ramming a federal law enforcement vehicle and refusing commands. The agency claims he then drove his vehicle directly toward an agent in an attempt to run over the officer, prompting the agent to open fire in self-defense. Cell phone video recorded by witnesses shows officers on top of the man as he lay bleeding on the ground following the shooting.
Family Disputes Official Account
The victim’s son said his father had lived in the United States for 35 years, working in construction to support his wife and three children. The family stated Araujo was in the process of obtaining a work permit and did not deserve what happened to him. They plan to hold a press conference and are calling for the release of body-worn camera footage from the incident.
A woman whose stepfather was detained during the same operation told reporters that ICE was not telling the truth about what happened. She said her stepfather, who has lived in America since age 14 and is now 44, called her mother saying he was being followed by ICE before the call cut off. The League of United Latin American Citizens has called for an independent investigation into the shooting.
Broader Pattern of Force
The Houston shooting marks the tenth involving immigration agents this year, according to The Trace, a nonprofit organization that tracks gun violence through news reports. Two previous shootings this year proved fatal, both occurring in Minneapolis in January. Last year saw 15 such incidents with four fatalities, making this year on track to exceed last year’s total. The FBI is leading the investigation into the potential assault on a federal officer, while the Department of Homeland Security is investigating the agent-involved shooting itself. Houston Mayor John Whitmire declined to comment on the incident.
Simple solution….Get documented or risk the alternative. These undocumented people need to obey OUR laws , no excuses…PERIOD!!!!
YEP…Francis is 100% correct. Just do the right thing as Spike Lee used to say…
Yes, I agree. But it seems to me that many of these these agents who have been trained by the IDF are those who are using the illegals as an excuse to kill people. It’s like the jail system: those who are employed there are mean spirited and enjoy cruelty. They must get off on it.
Trained by the “IDF”. Who pray tell is the IDF unless you are saying that they are trained by the Israeli Defense Forces.
If you comply you won’t die. It don’t take 30 years to become documented.
Also prison is not a vacation, its meant to be harsh. Try being nice see how prisoners treat you.
I do.
Don’t come into the country illegally and they wont have to worry about who is trained by who. As goofy as that comment is IDF ,LOL
Yeah- That IDF Comment Gives His Whole ACT away
you never been a prison guard. you have no idea what goes on behind those walls.
He had twenty nine years to get legal so clearly becoming a US citizen wasn’t that important to him.
EXACTLY
Self deport if you know what is good for you.
Bingo!!! AND DITTO
What was he doing in this country for 35 years undocumented? How is it that he had a job? If he tried to run over an agent, the agent did it in self-defense.
Bingo!!!
To think that federal agents are just looking for the opportunity to kill someone is ludicrous. They are just trying to do what they are hired to do. The guy tried to run over the officer. How complicated is this?
For a Cretin? VERY Hard. For an Invading LEECH, EVEN HARDER.
All my comments get moderated and shot down. My hat goes off to the officer. Great job ventilating the cockroach.
Agree.
Such are the consequences for 30+ years of Flaunting US LAWS,and trying to use a DEADLY WEAPON Against ANY LEO
What are the agents supposed to do? Wait until they’ve been shot three times, then open fire? Don’t do anything against our laws. That includes stopping and giving up when you are being arrested. Even I might get shot, if I run then put up a fight. I’m 74. They want to go home to their families at the end of the day.
Well Said!!!
If you’re illegal, a banger, and you intend to escape by running over law enforcement………….you’d better have your affairs in order! How many examples do you need?
So Say 80+% of ALL Americans
Sounds like this guy should have gotten his work permit and any other paperwork 35 years ago when he first entered the country illegally. It does not matter if you’ve been here 35 years or 35 minutes. If you entered the country illegally, you are subject to deportation. Simple as that! do it the Right way or don’t do it at all.
EXACTLY RIGHT
Heard today the dead guy wasn’t the target of ICE and the target of ICE was riding in his van. Makes me believe this guy hires illegals which is a crime. But maybe he should have followed lawful orders from ICE (law enforcement) and not tried to run an agent over. FAFO.
The last part IS What Got Him Shot, though the first, if true would be enough
IDF, What a Ridiculous Statement ,LOL.