The Shot Unheard—ICE Claims Another Life

The death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo has left more questions than answers—and a troubling silence.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo on his 52nd birthday.

Yesterday, while many of us were still drinking our morning coffee or resting in our beds, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was drawing his final breath on the pavement of a Houston intersection.

If this is the first time you are hearing of his death, I am not surprised. As of yet, no footage has surfaced of the shooting itself. Even in its aftermath, we have little to go on, though a couple of videos exist.

One shows ICE officers bending over a prone man beside a white cargo van—Lorenzo’s van—with a black SUV angled to block its path. It is brief, only a few seconds long. Lorenzo lies on his side in a driveway. He cries out in anguish. The driver pulls away.

Today, his son, Ronaldo Salgado, spoke at a press conference. He remembered his father. Lorenzo was a quiet man, a man of routine. Every morning, he woke, ate a hearty breakfast, and drove to work. Every evening, he returned home, sat on his porch, and listened to music. He was the father of two college-educated sons, a grandfather, and a husband. For 35 years, he called this country home.

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According to his son, he was in the process of obtaining a work permit. His son shared that he had crossed every T and dotted every I. Lorenzo was the picture of a hard worker, a kind man.

Yesterday, according to his family, his morning unfolded as usual. He rose at 5:00 a.m. He dressed, ate, and kissed his wife goodbye. Lorenzo then drove to pick up his workers. Around 6:45 a.m., with one employee left to collect, he was tailed by a black, unmarked SUV. What unfolded next is unclear, but within minutes, he would be lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

At the press conference, Rep. Al Green called on the city of Houston to take up the investigation. LULAC—the League of United Latin American Citizens—is joining him in that request. They called for transparency, the release of all footage, and an independent investigation. Together, they urged the community to come forward with eyewitness accounts and video footage.

Screenshot of video taken by WUSA9

Dissenters, I must confess, the silence surrounding his death is deafening. Within hours of Good and Pretti’s slayings, vigils were planned, memorials were constructed, and calls for justice rang from every corner. Yet, as I write this article, there is not a single protest or vigil posted on Mobilize, at least none that I can find.

While there may be no footage and while we may not have all the answers, we know this: a good man has died at the hands of ICE. Once again, they drove an unmarked vehicle. Once again, they claim self-defense. But was it?

If he had rammed a black vehicle, and if he had been shot while driving, why does video taken by WUSA9 show his van without broken lights or clear signs of an accident? Why are the windshield and hood intact? Where are the bullet holes?

We may not have all the answers, but we have enough questions to cry out for justice. We have sufficient reason to doubt the narrative. And we have heard enough to know that Lorenzo was a neighbor, a father, a friend—a part of what makes our country worth fighting for.

Today, you can help ensure Lorenzo receives justice.

ONE | If you have information that may be helpful, LULAC has a form where you can submit tips. Use it. You can also sign a petition calling for justice.

TWO | LULAC has shared a GoFundMe. Give if you are able.

THREE | Spread the word. Share Lorenzo’s story on every platform and with every person you can.

FOUR | Contact your representatives, especially if you are in Texas. Demand justice.

FIVE | Plan a vigil or memorial. Learn about Lorenzo. Cry out for justice.