Democrats Demand Answers After Fatal ICE Shooting and Apparent Coverup, Move to Preserve Evidence and Protect Witnesses
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Al Green (D-TX) led Committee Democrats in sending a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding immediate answers following the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Houston, Texas this week.
The Members raised alarm over conflicting witness testimony, reports that Mr. Salgado Araujo was not the target of the operation, and allegations that ICE has pressured key eyewitnesses to leave the country before investigators can hear their accounts. Members also raised concerns that this tragedy follows previous shootings in which DHS used excessive and deadly force and then issued false and misleading statements in an attempt to justify those shootings.
“[W]itnesses to the shooting of Mr. Salgado Araujo paint a different picture than DHS’s claims. Passengers in the vehicle assert that Mr. Salgado Araujo never attempted to ram officers with his vehicle and that ‘[ICE] came in and started shooting from the sides,’” the Members wrote. “ICE has allegedly encouraged these witnesses, Mr. Salgado Araujo’s brother and two of their co-workers, to sign paperwork for self-deportation from the United States. This is incredibly concerning, as these men would be critical to any investigation into the fatal shooting.”
The Members are demanding DHS turn over all video footage, records related to the officer involved, evidence of any injuries or damages supporting DHS’s claim of self-defense, and information about the operation. They are also seeking records related to any efforts to encourage witnesses to self-deport and have formally directed DHS to preserve all evidence and records tied to the shooting as Congress investigates the incident.
To read the full letter, click here.
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