A substance found in the work van of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican immigrant killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, tested negative for illicit drugs, according to Houston’s top prosecutor. This contradicts previous claims by federal officials.
Salgado Araujo, a construction worker, was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Houston on July 7. ICE has stated that Salgado Araujo “weaponized” his vehicle during a traffic stop attempt, leading an agent to shoot in self-defense. However, other men in the van dispute this claim.
Following the shooting and another fatal ICE incident in Maine, the FBI submitted a federal court affidavit suspecting Salgado Araujo’s van contained methamphetamine. The affidavit included photos showing small bags with a white substance allegedly resembling meth.
On Friday, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare’s office confirmed the substance was negative for narcotics. The office stated, “We have notified Salgado Araujo’s family because they had the right to know.” Further details were withheld due to the ongoing investigation.
The substance was likely granulated salt used by construction workers to make a homemade electrolyte mix for summer heat, as Salgado Araujo’s family representatives indicated.
The FBI did not comment on the test results. David Donatti, an attorney at the ACLU of Texas representing the family, criticized the federal response, saying, “The government was more interested in creating a false narrative than seeking the truth.”
The FBI and ICE are reviewing the July 7th shooting, initially considered a potential assault on an agent. Teare stated he is ready to prosecute ICE agents if criminal wrongdoing is found. ICE acknowledges Salgado Araujo’s undocumented status but does not dispute his non-criminal record.
Salgado Araujo’s sons, both American citizens, described their father as a hardworking man with deep love for music and family. His son, Lorenzo Salgado Jr., stated, “He believed in America’s promise that hard work results in fair pay and the chance to better one’s future.”
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