The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into an incident involving a van last week in Houston, where immigration agents shot and killed the driver. Questions have arisen over whether illegal drugs were in the vehicle during the encounter.
According to a search warrant application signed by a federal judge, federal investigators are examining the presence of “controlled substances” in the van. The application, filed in the Houston federal court, offers details and photographs showing small bags inside a white Ford Transit cargo van.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52, was driving the van with three passengers on their way to a construction job on July 7. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began pursuing the van, leading to an agent shooting Salgado Araujo in the abdomen, resulting in his death.
Special Agent David McNeilly mentions in the search warrant application that the United States is gathering facts related to what caused the vehicle occupants to flee. The Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that neither Salgado Araujo nor the other men in the van were the intended targets of the immigration enforcement action.
Although agents pursued the vehicle, drugs were not the reason for the encounter. There is no evidence suggesting that the agents suspected drugs were present. Additionally, neither Salgado Araujo nor the others in the van were known for involvement with drugs or had any related criminal history.
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