Sources with knowledge of the investigation have revealed to Fox News that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents involved in the deadly shooting of an undocumented immigrant in Houston earlier this week were not equipped with body cameras at the time of the incident.
This revelation adds a new layer to the intense scrutiny surrounding the shooting, which has captured nationwide attention. The situation is currently under review by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, while prosecutors in Houston have launched their own independent investigation.
The deceased, identified as Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, was a Mexican national allegedly residing illegally in the United States. According to ICE, the fatal incident occurred on Tuesday when Araujo reportedly attempted to use his vehicle as a weapon against an ICE officer.
A woman was seen holding a sign that read, “ICE OUT OF HOUSTON” at a vigil for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was killed by a federal immigration agent just the day before. The vigil took place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Mark Felix)
In response to the shooting, several Democratic lawmakers are advocating for an independent investigation to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the events leading up to and resulting in Araujo’s death.
“Every single ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo must be investigated to the full extent of the law,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote on X. “Video footage of the killing must be released immediately. The American people deserve the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also called for “real accountability” following the shooting and reiterated his support for abolishing ICE.
Lorenzo Salgado Jr., left, and Ronaldo Salgado, right, sons of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, are shown during a news conference about the ICE shooting death of their father in Houston Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed to pursue “legal measures” following the shooting.
Asked whether the officers involved were wearing body cameras, the Department of Homeland Security directed Fox News to ICE’s previous statement regarding the shooting, in which the agency accused Araujo of attempting to evade arrest.
ICE previously told News Media that Araujo “rammed an ICE law enforcement vehicle, refused to follow multiple verbal commands and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer, resulting in our officer firing his weapon in self-defense.”
Candles are lit during a vigil for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national fatally shot by a federal immigration agent a day prior, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Mark Felix)
Araujo was struck and taken to a hospital, where he later died.
“This is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information is available,” the agency added.
Little video of the encounter has emerged publicly in the days since the shooting.
Araujo’s family has disputed ICE’s account of the shooting and called on the agency to release any available video evidence.