HOUSTON – An undocumented immigrant was shot and killed Tuesday morning in east Houston by an ICE agent during an attempted arrest, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The man has been identified as Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who was in the U.S. illegally, according to ICE.
According to the agency, at about 6:50 a.m., ICE agents attempted a traffic stop in the 6800 block of Canal Street as part of a “targeted enforcement operation to arrest an illegal alien.”
Officials said Araujo attempted to flee the scene.
ICE said Araujo rammed an ICE law enforcement vehicle, refused multiple verbal commands and used his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE agent. The agent then fired his weapon in self-defense, according to ICE.
Araujo was struck, and emergency medical personnel were immediately called to the scene.
The Houston Fire Department said Araujo suffered a gunshot wound to his right flank, or stomach area, and was transported to Ben Taub Hospital while CPR was in progress.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital, officials said.
Three other people were detained.
Federal investigators, including ICE personnel, remain at the scene.
DHS-OIG is leading an investigation into the agent-involved shooting.
FBI Houston is leading an investigation into the potential assault on a federal law enforcement officer
In a statement, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office said:
“Commissioner Garcia’s office does not have authority over law enforcement matters, so we are not able to provide comment on this incident. We recommend contacting the Harris County Sheriff’s Office or the relevant federal agencies for updates.”
Family member shares statement:
On Facebook, Ronaldo Salgado, who identified himself as Araujo’s son, released the following statement:
“My father, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a hardworking Mexican man, was the man killed this morning by ICE in the East End.
My father has been in this country for nearly 35 years, working in construction to provide for myself, my two brothers, and my mother.
He was in the process of obtaining his work permit through the legal process. He was on his way to work, picking up his workers.
My father did not deserve this.
Please respect my family’s privacy during this time. There are a lot of videos and pictures out there of my father’s final moments that I do not wish to see.
For more information, I will be speaking at a press conference, with the support of LULAC. Tomorrow Wednesday, July 8 at 10AM at The Greater Coalition for Justice - 150 West Parker Rd Houston, TX 5th floor."
KPRC 2 will update this story as more information becomes available.