Witnesses Challenge ICE’s Actions in Salgado Shooting Case
Two men who witnessed the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are pushing for their release from detention, claiming it is illegal. Court records obtained by the Houston Chronicle reveal their petition for habeas corpus, which seeks to initiate the process for their release from ICE custody.
Challenging Government Accounts
Daniel Tirado Pantoja and Jose Trinidad Rojas Priego were passengers in Salgado’s work van during the incident on July 7. They have contested the official narrative provided by the government regarding the shooting, which occurred in Houston’s East End. Their statement, submitted to the Southern District of Texas, details their recollection of events that contradicts ICE’s account.
Inequities in Detention
The men have filed petitions for habeas corpus to initiate their release process from ICE’s Montgomery County detention center. Salgado was shot and killed following a pursuit by ICE agents, who asserted that they were attempting to detain both him and his passengers. The shooting transpired on Canal Street after collisions involving two ICE vehicles and Salgado’s van.
Disputed Justifications for the Shooting
ICE claimed that Salgado “weaponized” his vehicle, allegedly attempting to ram an officer’s car, justifying the use of lethal force as self-defense. However, this narrative is highly controversial, and Tirado and Rojas firmly assert that there was no threat posed by Salgado to the agents. In their filing, Tirado stated, “The agents were never in front of the vehicle for a second,” asserting that Salgado was parked when the shooting commenced.
Background of the Witnesses
Tirado and Rojas were vital witnesses to the incident, arriving at a construction site alongside Salgado on the day of the tragic event. Both men have lived in the United States for decades and have no criminal records. In hopes of securing their release, they have submitted character reference letters to the court, advocating for their good character in light of their current situation.
Legal Arguments for Release
The petitions argue that the indefinite detention of Tirado and Rojas violates their Fifth Amendment rights to due process. Their attorney, Reid Gonzalez, emphasized that the men pose no flight risk nor danger to the community. He described their continued detention as exceptional and requested their immediate release, stating that a bail hearing is no longer an adequate remedy for their situation.
Immigration and Visa Considerations
The witnesses are also applying for U visas, which provide temporary immigration status to crime victims assisting law enforcement in criminal investigations. These applications include details regarding the men’s personal lives and emphasize Harris County’s intent to retain them in the U.S. throughout the ongoing investigations surrounding the shooting of Salgado.
Events Leading Up to the Shooting
Both Tirado and Rojas recounted their perspectives on the incident in written statements. Tirado mentioned that shortly after they set out towards Interstate 10, an ICE vehicle nearly collided with them, leading Salgado to maneuver defensively. He claimed that ICE agents rear-ended their van before pursuing them down Canal Street, ultimately resulting in gunfire. Rojas added that the pursuit began after they made a brief stop to collect supplies, describing a surreal escalation that culminated in Salgado being shot and forcibly removed from the vehicle despite being already injured.
