Passenger Who Witnessed Houston ICE Shooting Speaks Out
Qwenews.com – A passenger who witnessed Houston ICE shooting shared his harrowing experience, describing how the July 7 incident has left him traumatized and unable to sleep. Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, 51, told CNN that the driver of the van never threatened officers and was ready to surrender when federal agents pulled the vehicle over.
Contradictory Versions of Events
ICE initially claimed that Lorenzo Salgado Araujo crashed into a law enforcement vehicle and ignored commands before an agent fired his weapon. Rojas Pliego firmly rejected that narrative.
“That’s a lie,” Rojas Pliego told CNN in an exclusive interview set to air on Erin Burnett OutFront tonight at 7 p.m. ET.
The Department of Homeland Security did not directly respond to the passenger’s statement, noting that both DHS and the Houston FBI are conducting separate investigations into the shooting and a potential assault on a federal officer.
What Happened Inside the Van
Rojas Pliego described the scene to CNN’s Ed Lavandera, explaining that all three passengers were forcibly removed from the van. He watched as Salgado Araujo, who was driving, sustained mortal wounds, was dragged from the vehicle, thrown to the pavement, and then raised to be handcuffed.
“We were only going to work,” Rojas Pliego said. “I only ask for justice for him, his family and the workers.”
According to the witness, no agents positioned themselves in front of or behind the van during the traffic stop. He emphasized that Salgado Araujo never attacked anyone and was heading to a construction site to complete work on several houses in Houston’s East End.
Legal Status and Future Prospects
Court documents indicate Rojas Pliego arrived in the United States in 1998. The Mexican national has no prior criminal convictions and is in a common-law marriage with an American citizen, according to a habeas corpus petition filed by his legal team.
Since his release from ICE custody on Wednesday, Rojas Pliego must wear an ankle monitor and check in regularly with immigration authorities. His attorney, Hugo Balderas-Ibarra, noted that the passenger could potentially qualify for a visa and work permit designated for crime victims. He is currently facing removal proceedings.
On the day of his release, federal prosecutors submitted a motion requesting that Rojas Pliego remain detained while an appeal is considered. His attorneys plan to file a response opposing that request.
“Should the matter proceed to the appellate level, we are fully prepared to litigate the case,” said attorney Raed Gonzalez.
Was the Right Person Targeted?
Although DHS characterized the July 7 event as a targeted enforcement operation, a source with preliminary information suggested Salgado Araujo was not the primary objective. His family maintains that he would have stopped and cooperated had he realized the vehicles following him belonged to ICE or other law enforcement agencies.
Salgado Araujo, 52, was a father of three who had been pursuing a work permit and carried no criminal record. His eldest son explained that the driver had been particularly cautious about being followed because his van and tools had been stolen previously.
Missing Evidence Sparks Questions
Federal officials have not yet released any photographs or video footage of the traffic stop or the shooting. A DHS spokesperson confirmed to CNN that the officers involved did not have body-worn cameras activated during the incident.
“Things will never be the same with my family,” said Rojas Pliego, who referred to Salgado Araujo as “El Patron,” or The Boss. “I’m sad about … what I saw, since I was the one who witnessed it all.”
The fatal shooting has intensified skepticism surrounding ICE’s operational tactics and its tendency to quickly defend agents involved in controversial encounters. The Houston District Attorney is now urging federal authorities to provide evidence, noting that prosecutors currently lack even a single name from the federal side.
Additionally, testing has confirmed that the substance found in the van was not drugs, according to the district attorney’s office.
