The top prosecutor in Houston announced a significant development in the case of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican immigrant construction worker killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Officials have verified that a substance found in Araujo’s work van tested negative for illicit drugs, contradicting federal claims that the vehicle contained methamphetamine.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot in Houston on July 7 during an attempted traffic stop, with ICE asserting that he “weaponized” his vehicle, leading to the officer shooting him in self-defense. Other occupants of the van, still in ICE custody, have challenged this claim.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had earlier submitted an affidavit in federal court indicating suspicions that the van contained methamphetamine, supported by photos showing small bags with a substance resembling meth. However, results from tests conducted by the Harris County District Attorney’s office revealed the absence of narcotics.
“We can confirm the substance found in Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s van tested negative for narcotics / illicit drugs,” the office communicated, emphasizing the importance of notifying Salgado Araujo’s family.
Representatives of Salgado Araujo’s family had previously asserted the substance could be granulated salt used to create a homemade electrolyte mix for construction workers in the summer heat. The FBI has not commented further on the test results.
David Donatti, an ACLU Texas attorney representing the family, criticized the federal government’s approach, stating they prioritized crafting a misleading narrative over uncovering the truth. Teare’s office and other federal agencies are continuing their investigations into the July 7 shooting incident.
An interview with CBS News shared intimate details about Salgado Araujo, as described by his sons, who are American citizens. They painted a picture of a diligent man who cherished music and family, motivated by the belief in the American dream of earning deserved pay through hard work and providing a brighter future for his family.