Substance FBI agent saw in van of man fatally shot by ICE in Houston was salt, family attorney says

Key Points:

• The FBI filed a search warrant for the van of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was fatally shot by ICE during a traffic stop in Texas, citing discovery of small bags believed to contain drugs; however, the family’s attorney stated the substance was salt used as an electrolyte mix by outdoor workers.
• Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare and civil rights groups have criticized the FBI’s search warrant as unusual and unrelated to the circumstances of the shooting, emphasizing that drug test results would not impact the investigation into the use of deadly force.
• The Department of Homeland Security claims Salgado Araujo attempted to run over agents and was in the country illegally, but has not provided evidence, while witnesses dispute the claim that agents were in danger.
• Salgado Araujo’s family and advocates argue the search warrant is part of a narrative to blame him rather than the ICE officer involved, who reportedly was not wearing a body camera during the incident.
• Multiple agencies including DHS’ Office of Inspector General, the Harris County DA’s Office, and Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting, while the FBI’s rapid release of the search warrant affidavit has been noted as unusual but legally permissible.