Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced on Friday his commitment to initiate an “independent and transparent” investigation into the recent fatal shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, despite facing challenges due to federal control over the evidence. This incident occurred on Tuesday, resulting in the death of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
Whitmire instructed Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz to take proactive measures in the investigation, particularly in light of witness testimonies that contradict ICE’s narrative regarding the shooting. The police chief is scheduled to meet with the chief of the Houston FBI bureau next week and has requested the federal agency to begin sharing relevant information.
“Our hands have been tied, but I’ve instructed the chief and the city attorney to untie those hands,” Whitmire stated during a press conference.
A growing number of Democratic leaders, both in Texas and nationally, are advocating for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Salgado Araujo’s death during what ICE described as an “enforcement operation” in Houston. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General is currently leading a federal investigation into the incident.
According to ICE, Salgado Araujo was shot after allegedly attempting to run over an agent while driving a van. However, three passengers in the vehicle have disputed this claim, as reported by their attorney, and they are currently in federal custody.
Whitmire expressed his frustration regarding ICE’s handling of the situation and conveyed condolences to Salgado Araujo’s family, who have been residents of Houston for many years. “Mr. Salgado was pursued by unmarked vehicles, and before he could identify himself and express his Houstonian identity, he was shot and killed,” Whitmire commented. “I conveyed the condolences and anger of the entire city to his family and assured them that we will dedicate all our resources and efforts to ensure a thorough investigation.”
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office also launched its own investigation into the shooting on Thursday. However, District Attorney Sean Teare noted that his office has encountered significant limitations in accessing evidence due to the involvement of federal agencies.
Whitmire mentioned his discussions with Teare regarding the difficulties posed by the FBI’s tight control over evidence related to the case. “They control the scene, the deceased, the van, the witnesses. So yes, they control the investigation,” he stated.
This recent announcement marks a departure from Whitmire’s previous remarks made shortly after the shooting, when he expressed that the city and its police force were unable to conduct an investigation due to the existence of two concurrent inquiries. The Houston Police Department confirmed that none of its officers were involved in the shooting, which further limited their jurisdiction.
Before Whitmire’s directive, Chief Diaz had sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, acknowledging that the Houston Police Department had “no independent jurisdiction” over the investigation but offered to provide resources to assist federal authorities.
During the press conference, Diaz reiterated the concerns regarding the lack of jurisdiction and evidence access necessary for a comprehensive investigation. U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, revealed that Salgado Araujo was not the intended target of the ICE operation, and her inquiries into ICE’s actions have prompted the police department to reconsider its approach to the investigation.
“The facts have changed, right? Now we know, thanks to the congresswoman’s efforts, that the wrong person was in the van, and possibly the wrong van was targeted,” Diaz remarked. “These revelations are alarming and should concern everyone in the community.”
The Department of Homeland Security indicated that they acted on a tip from a local law enforcement partner prior to the pursuit of Salgado Araujo’s van. However, Diaz clarified that this tip did not originate from the Houston Police Department. Both the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that they did not provide any information to ICE related to the operation.
During the press conference, Garcia also highlighted the absence of body cameras or dashboard cameras on the unmarked vehicles used by ICE agents during the incident. Whitmire criticized the lack of standard recording equipment and protocols typically expected from law enforcement agencies. “I have chaired the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice for 30 years, overseeing numerous investigations and reviews of police actions, and none are as egregious as what ICE has brought to Houston this Tuesday,” he asserted.
