Federal authorities say a Mexican national fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Houston had multiple baggies suspected of containing crystal methamphetamine inside his vehicle at the time of the encounter.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52, was killed in Houston on July 7 during an ICE operation as he was reportedly heading to work.
According to a newly unsealed federal search warrant affidavit, investigators allege that three bags believed to contain crystal meth were found in Araujo’s car after the shooting.
The affidavit described the items as three small plastic bags holding a “white crystal-like substance” located on the center area of the dashboard between the driver’s side and passenger’s side.
Investigators wrote that the substance appeared to be “consistent with methamphetamine,” according to the federal filing.
The fatal ICE shooting happened at about 7 a.m., after authorities say Araujo attempted to avoid arrest during a traffic stop.
A source told CNN that Araujo was not the intended target of the immigration enforcement action, but the confrontation quickly escalated before agents fired their weapons.
Araujo’s death drew widespread anger and prompted protests in cities across the country, coming ahead of another ICE-involved shooting Monday involving a Colombian migrant in Maine.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52, was killed in Houston last Tuesday by ICE agents while on his way to work
Federal authorities claimed they found several bags believed to contain crystal meth inside his car
Three small plastic bags containing a ‘white crystal-like substance in the middle of the dash between the driver and passenger side of the vehicle’, the affidavit said
According to the filing, which was released July 14, FBI investigators sought authorization to search Araujo’s van for evidence related to possible drug offenses.
The filing stated that the potential drug offenses included possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and simple possession, per Click2Houston.
Authorities allege that Araujo tried to evade police during the fateful traffic stop, as he accelerated over a median before being shot.
The affidavit states that investigators believed they already had authority to search Araujo’s vehicle due to probable cause that it contained illicit substances, but they also obtained a search warrant ‘out of an abundance of caution.’
The investigation into Araujo’s death remains ongoing.
The Department of Homeland Security described Araujo as ‘weaponizing’ his vehicle during his alleged escape attempt, as they claimed he tried to run over an agent.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office says it is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting.
The shooting in Houston came just days before another man, a 26-year-old migrant from Colombia identified as Joan Sebastian Guerrero, was also killed by an ICE agent in Maine.
The shooting in Houston came just days before another man, a 26-year-old migrant from Colombia, was also killed by an ICE agent in Maine
Footage circulating social media from the scene in Maine showed a man laying by the side of the road as police and ICE agents provided aid and consoled each other
Footage from the scene in Maine showed ICE agents handcuffing Guerrero on the ground after he was shot dead.
In a statement ICE, referred to Guerrero as an ‘illegal alien’ who ‘attempted to flee the scene’ of a traffic stop when a federal agent fired.
ICE agents were in the are to conduct ‘targeted surveillance on the last known address of an illegal alien with a final order of removal.’
‘The driver of the vehicle was struck, and emergency services were immediately contacted. He passed away from his injuries,’ an ICE spokesperson added in a statement.
The shooting is going to be investigated by DHS’ Office of Inspector General.
‘This is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information is available,’ they said.
