Two Men Shot by ICE Were Not the Intended Targets, Sources Say

What Happened Last Week?

Over the last week, something sad and confusing happened. Two men were shot and killed by agents from a group called ICE (that stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement — a US government team that handles immigration rules).

But here is the weird part:

• Neither man seems to have been the person ICE was actually looking for.
• This info comes from a news source with early details and from a politician named Maine Sen. Angus King.

Important Point: Both men lost their lives during immigration operations, but they were not the direct targets of those operations, according to a source and Sen. King.

The Houston Case: Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

Last Tuesday, a man named Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in Houston by an ICE agent. He was on his way to work.

Here is the simple version of what led up to it:

1. Texas authorities told ICE about two people (not Lorenzo) riding in a white van. They thought those two people were in the US without legal permission.
2. Because of that tip, ICE started watching the white van.
3. A Homeland Security official said officers had been watching a house for weeks. Two white vans were often seen there.
4. On July 7, officers were driving to that house. They saw a white van with someone who looked like the person they were looking for.
5. That van belonged to Lorenzo. Agents found out he was in the country without legal status.
6. This mix-up led to the confrontation where Lorenzo was shot on Tuesday.

ICE has not clearly said if Lorenzo was a target. A source with early info says he was not the target.

The Maine Case: A Man Shot on Monday

On Monday in Maine, another man was shot and killed by ICE agents. We don’t know all the details yet.

But here is what we do know:

• Sen. Angus King said the Homeland Security Secretary (Markwayne Mullin) told him the man was “NOT the target of the warrant” (a warrant is like a official paper allowing police to do something).
• Earlier that day, King had told reporters the opposite — that the man was the target. He said that based on an earlier talk with Mullin.
• CNN has asked the Department of Homeland Security for more info, but they have not shared what happened on Monday.

Important Point: The Maine shooting info is still unclear, but the senator’s office says the slain man was not the warrant’s target, according to the Secretary.

Summary

In the last week, two men were fatally shot by ICE agents in separate events — one in Houston and one in Maine. Early info says neither was the person ICE meant to target. In Houston, Lorenzo was caught up because his van matched a tip. In Maine, a senator says the government confirmed the man was not the warrant target. Many details are still missing, and news outlets are waiting for more answers.

FAQ

What is ICE?
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is a US government group that enforces immigration laws.

Was Lorenzo Salgado Araujo the target in Houston?
According to a source with early details, no. ICE has not said clearly if he was a target.

Why did ICE watch the white van?
Texas authorities told ICE about two people in a white van who were believed to be in the US without legal status. That tip made ICE watch the vehicle.

Do we know everything about the Maine shooting?
No. Many details are unknown. Sen. King says the man was not the target of the warrant, but the government has not released full info.

What is a warrant?
A warrant is an official document from a court or government that lets officers take action, like arrest someone.