Witness to Houston ICE fatal shooting calls Homeland Security’s account ‘a lie’

A key eyewitness to the fatal shooting of a Houston man by an ICE agent is speaking out, branding the official Department of Homeland Security account of the incident as a complete fabrication.

Challenging the Official Narrative

Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, who was inside the van during the July 7 encounter, gave his first public interview following his release from an ICE detention center. Speaking to CNN, Rojas Pliego firmly stated that the victim, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, was attempting to surrender at the time of the shooting.

In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security previously claimed that Salgado Araujo had "weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer," justifying the agent's decision to open fire as self-defense. Rojas Pliego’s response to that claim was blunt: "That’s a lie."

A Traumatic Morning

Rojas Pliego described the events of that day, noting that he, Salgado Araujo, and two other construction workers were simply commuting to their jobs when they were pursued by ICE agents in unmarked vehicles. Reflecting on the tragedy, he expressed deep sorrow and trauma, emphasizing that he witnessed the entire ordeal firsthand.

"We were on our way to work when they took Lorenzo Salgado’s life," Rojas Pliego said in Spanish. "Instead of giving him first aid right away, they handcuffed him and pushed him to the ground. That’s not right. I want justice for Lorenzo Salgado, my boss."

Legal and Personal Fallout

Rojas Pliego, who has resided in the U.S. for decades, remains in the country without legal status. His stepdaughter, Griselda Silva, noted that the family has struggled to cover the legal costs necessary to adjust his status. His release from detention this past Wednesday was met with a request from federal prosecutors for a stay, pending an appeal based on conflicting rulings in other immigration cases.

Now wearing an ankle monitor, Rojas Pliego visited a curbside memorial for his former boss to honor his memory. 205focus.com will continue to monitor updates on this developing story. The Associated Press contributed to this report.