Protesters Demand Independent Probe After Fatal ICE Shooting In Houston

More than 1,000 protesters chanting “ICE out of Houston” marched on Wednesday near the site where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a man on his way to work. The incident is the latest in a series of deadly encounters linked to intensified immigration enforcement operations across the country.

Many demonstrators waved Mexican flags and carried signs reading “Stand with Immigrants” and “ICE Melts in Texas.” They also called for an independent investigation into Tuesday’s shooting of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who had been living in the United States without legal status for nearly 30 years.

The rally began at the location where Salgado was killed before moving to a nearby park, where speakers urged solidarity with immigrant communities. Protesters later returned to the scene for a candlelight vigil.

Salgado’s death is among at least six fatal shootings during immigration enforcement operations since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025 and expanded deportation efforts. 

ICE said Salgado drove his van into an agency vehicle, ignored repeated commands and attempted to strike an officer, who then fired in self-defense. Reuters could not independently verify the agency’s account, and no video of the shooting had emerged as of Wednesday.

Dispute Over Investigation

ICE said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would investigate the shooting, while the FBI would examine the alleged assault on a federal officer.

Local leaders, however, called for an independent inquiry. Houston City Council member Alejandra Salinas, U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia and Mayor John Whitmire all urged a transparent investigation, with Garcia also demanding body cameras, clear identification for officers and an end to paramilitary-style immigration enforcement.

The shooting also drew a response from Mexico, where President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government was preparing legal measures following what she described as the “unfortunate death” of a Mexican national whose “only fault was not having legal papers yet.”

(With inputs from Reuters)