Gov. Greg Abbott has confirmed that the Texas Rangers are now participating in the investigation into the fatal shooting of a Mexican national by a federal immigration agent in Houston last week, saying the agency will work independently alongside federal investigators to determine what happened.
Speaking at a press conference in Houston, Abbott called the loss of life “tragic” and said the Rangers have already met with the Texas Department of Public Safety, federal officials, and the Houston Police Department.
“There has been a meeting with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Rangers, meeting with federal officials as well as with your local police department here in Houston, and the Texas Rangers are now going to be involved in an investigation of this matter, working alongside federal officials to get to the bottom of exactly what happened,” Abbott said.
Asked whether the Rangers’ review would be independent, Abbott replied, “Any time the Texas Rangers are involved, they work independently. They’re well known, not just in the state of Texas, but elsewhere, for their independence in conducting investigations.”
The confirmation comes a day after Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief Noe Diaz formally requested that the Texas Rangers conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
The shooting occurred last Tuesday morning when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Salgado Araujo rammed an ICE vehicle, ignored repeated commands, and attempted to run over an agent, who then fired in self-defense. Salgado Araujo later died at a Houston hospital.
His family and the League of United Latin American Citizens have disputed the federal government’s account of the incident and have called for the release of body camera footage and other evidence.
“I fully expect our immigration laws to be enforced,” Abbott said. “But it’s proven the immigration laws can be enforced, and stopping illegal immigration from coming across our border can be achieved without shooting people.”
He added, “The goal for law enforcement, whether you be Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, or federal law enforcement, is first thing, don’t kill people, but you can achieve that goal while at the very same time making sure you’re enforcing immigration laws.”
In a statement, DPS said that it has long been standard practice for the Texas Rangers to investigate officer-involved shootings when requested by an involved law enforcement agency or prosecuting entity. The agency noted that such requests are typically made within minutes or hours of a shooting to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
The developments come as new federal court documents shed additional light on the case.
According to a federal search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday, investigators found three plastic bags containing a “white crystal-like substance” believed to be methamphetamine inside Salgado Araujo’s van following the shooting.
The affidavit states the suspected narcotics were located in the center dashboard area between the driver’s and passenger’s seats. The substance has not been publicly identified through laboratory testing.
The Houston shooting also briefly prompted changes to federal immigration enforcement tactics.
According to multiple reports, ICE temporarily paused traffic-stop operations following the incident.
President Donald Trump, however, publicly defended the practice Wednesday morning, writing on Truth Social that traffic stops are “one of I.C.E.’s most important and effective Crime Fighting tools” and urging agents to continue using them.
Federal investigations by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General remain ongoing alongside the newly announced Texas Rangers investigation.
