Family of Shot Construction Worker Challenges ICE Claims Over Substance Found in Van
Dispute Over Substance Found in Van
The relatives of a Mexican construction worker, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was tragically shot by an ICE agent in Texas, are contesting federal assertions regarding a "crystal-like" substance discovered in his vehicle. They argue that the substance was merely salt intended for homemade electrolyte drinks. Araujo, aged 52, was shot in the stomach by an ICE agent in Houston on July 7, after residing in the U.S. for 35 years. Following the incident, federal authorities secured a warrant to search his van, claiming that plastic bags containing a "white crystal-like substance" could potentially be methamphetamine.
However, Ruby L Powers, the family's attorney, clarified to CNN that the substance was actually a homemade electrolyte solution. "He mixes it with water to create his own Gatorade-like drink," she explained. Powers further noted that Araujo and his brother often combined salt and lemon with water to stay hydrated while working in the sweltering Texas heat.
The family expressed concern that the public release of the search warrant might sway public perception before toxicology results were available. When questioned by CNN's John King about the warrant's unsealing, Powers stated she had not received an explanation. "Experts have indicated that the process of sealing and then unsealing the warrant was quite unusual," she remarked. "This is why we felt compelled to issue a statement, even on the day of Lorenzo's visitation, to mitigate the impact on public opinion and to clear my client's name."
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare also raised doubts about the presence of illegal drugs in the van, suggesting that the allegations did not align with the evidence collected regarding the passengers. This controversy unfolds amid ongoing inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Araujo's death. According to a video statement from Aaron Reitz, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas, ICE agents were initially pursuing a different suspect when they attempted to stop Araujo's van. Reitz detailed that the driver initially evaded capture by making a quick U-turn before agents located the vehicle again later that morning. He stated that officers surrounded the van and instructed Araujo to park. According to Reitz, the driver then reversed the vehicle before moving it forward while an officer was positioned next to or partially inside the van, leading to an agent firing a single shot.
This account has been contested by witnesses. Two passengers in the van informed a local congress member that the officers did not announce themselves as law enforcement prior to discharging their weapons. They also claimed that the fatal shot was fired through the front passenger-side window, as reported by The New York Times.
Local prosecutors and law enforcement officials have voiced concerns about their inability to conduct an independent investigation due to a lack of access to crucial federal evidence. Labor advocates emphasize that mixing salt with water is a common practice among outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat. Laura Perez-Boston, organizing director at the Workers Defense Project Fund, noted that many construction workers prefer to prepare their own electrolyte drinks rather than purchasing commercial sports beverages.
The three surviving passengers from the shooting are currently in federal immigration detention. Local officials have expressed worries that they might face deportation before the investigation concludes. The witnesses have applied for U visas, which are designated for certain victims and witnesses who assist in law enforcement investigations.