Houston Mayor John Whitmire called for a transparent federal investigation into the fatal ICE shooting, while saying Houston has no jurisdiction.
Dallas Morning News
Houston Mayor John Whitmire called for a “transparent, independent investigation” into Tuesday’s fatal ICE shooting in Houston’s East End, while still emphasizing that Houston police were not involved and that the city lacks jurisdiction over federal law enforcement officers.
Whitmire’s comments on Wednesday came after his office pushed back against reports suggesting he had declined to investigate the shooting, calling that characterization “misleading and inaccurate.” The mayor said the city is monitoring the case closely but does not have jurisdiction over federal law enforcement officers or access to the evidence needed to conduct a separate investigation.
Article continues below this ad
The mayor’s office said in a statement that “It is important to note that the Houston Police Department was not involved in Tuesday’s incident, and the City of Houston does not control federal immigration policy, nor does it have jurisdiction over federal law enforcement officers. A local inquiry cannot supersede a federal investigation, and the City lacks access to the evidence, witnesses, or investigative authorities necessary to conduct a complete review of federal actions.”
“We are monitoring it very carefully,” Whitmire said during Wednesday’s Houston City Council meeting. “We’re in constant touch with our federal elected officials, insisting that there’s a transparent, independent investigation.”
The mayor said his office has also been communicating with community leaders and the League of United Latin American Citizens as questions continue surrounding Tuesday’s deadly encounter.
Speaking during the Houston City Council meeting, Whitmire addressed Tuesday’s shooting for the first time publicly, saying the city has been monitoring the incident but emphasizing that the operation was carried out solely by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Article continues below this ad
“I wish it was something that we just didn’t have to deal with,” Whitmire said. “But I do recognize the good training of HPD and the policies of Chief Noe Diaz that there was no involvement of HPD.”
Whitmire also described the deadly encounter as something “brought to us by our federal officials” and said the city needs continued communication with members of Texas’ congressional delegation regarding federal immigration enforcement.
The comments came less than 24 hours after an ICE agent fatally shot 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during what the Department of Homeland Security described as a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Houston’s East End. DHS alleges Salgado Araujo, an undocumented Mexican national, ignored commands and attempted to run over an ICE officer with his vehicle before the agent opened fire.
But Salgado Araujo’s eldest son disputed that account during an emotional Wednesday morning news conference, saying his father was a hardworking construction business owner who had spent roughly 35 years in the United States providing for his family and was in the process of obtaining a work permit.
Article continues below this ad
Family members of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo speak at a press conference Wednesday, seeking answers after the 52-year-old Houston man was fatally shot during an ICE enforcement operation.
Macy Meinhardt
Family members of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo speak at a press conference Wednesday, seeking answers after the 52-year-old Houston man was fatally shot during an ICE enforcement operation.
Macy Meinhardt
“He wanted nothing else in life but to provide for his wife and see his sons become great people,” Ronaldo Salgado said.
He described his father as “a man of routine” who left home before sunrise every day to pick up workers before heading to construction sites.
Article continues below this ad
Rather than intentionally fleeing law enforcement, Salgado said his father may have believed he was being robbed after being surrounded by unmarked vehicles.
“One of his worst fears is that someone took away his work tools, because that is how he made his livelihood,” Salgado said.
“Had my father seen an emblem of ICE, or an emblem that says anything about a law enforcement agency, my father would have complied. He would have not run away, because he feared for his life.”
The family’s attorney and leaders with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) joined Salgado in demanding an independent investigation.
Article continues below this ad
“What we know is very thin,” LULAC CEO Juan Proaño said. “We want a full and transparent investigation. Every piece of evidence, body camera footage, dash cam footage, bystander video, dispatch records must all be preserved and released.”
LULAC also announced a $5,000 reward for information or video related to the shooting.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, several Houston council members also emphasized that Houston police were not involved in the operation.
Article continues below this ad
Council member Joaquin Martinez said it was “important to ensure that we’re not conflating the two agencies.”
“The fear is real, the pain is real,” Martinez said. “We need to ensure that the federal government is being held accountable.”