A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a motorist in Houston on Tuesday during an attempt to stop the individual's vehicle, according to an ICE statement. The man killed in the incident was identified by ICE as Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national described by the agency as an "illegal alien" who was subject to a "targeted enforcement operation."
ICE stated that Salgado "rammed an ICE law enforcement vehicle, refused to follow multiple verbal commands, and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer." The agency claims the confrontation resulted in "our officer firing his weapon in self-defense," striking Salgado. He was transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Ronaldo Salgado, who identified himself as the slain motorist's son, told Telemundo Houston that his father was seeking workers for hire in the area at the time of the encounter.
Reuters reported that it could not immediately verify the man's immigration status or the specific circumstances of the shooting. The outlet noted that in several past instances, initial statements from immigration enforcement agencies have been challenged by video footage or other evidence.