Public Wake Held for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo Following Fatal Shooting by ICE Agents

HOUSTON — A public wake for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican immigrant shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, took place Thursday at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston's East End neighborhood. Hundreds attended the ceremony, many wearing blue to honor Salgado Araujo, who was a father of three and worked in construction.

Salgado Araujo was shot during a traffic stop on July 7 while driving a van with three other individuals. According to the Department of Homeland Security, he was not the intended target of the ICE agents, who claimed he attempted to run them over, prompting them to shoot in self-defense. However, the agency has not provided evidence to support this claim.

The FBI has requested a search warrant for the van Salgado Araujo was driving, citing the presence of small bags containing a white substance, which the family’s attorney argues is salt used to combat heat. The attorney has called for immediate testing of the substance and the release of Salgado Araujo’s brother, who remains in ICE custody. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state's top law enforcement unit would investigate the shooting.