Witness in fatal shooting by immigration agent released after over a month in detention

A federal judge has ordered the release of Daniel Tirado Pantoja, a key witness detained for over a month in connection with the July 7 shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by a federal immigration agent in Houston.

U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ruled that Tirado Pantoja, who was a passenger in Salgado Araujo's vehicle, should be freed. Court records indicate the judge found Tirado Pantoja had no criminal record and posed no risk of flight or danger to the community. His attorney, Ross Miller, expressed relief, stating, "We are very happy that Mr. Tirado can be reunited with his family."

Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who had lived in the U.S. for 35 years, was killed when an agent allegedly fired after Salgado Araujo "used his vehicle as a weapon." The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains the agent acted in self-defense. However, Tirado Pantoja and another passenger, José Trinidad Rojas Pliego, who was released last month, dispute this narrative.

They claim agents did not position themselves in front of the vehicle and that Salgado Araujo had put his van in neutral before shots were fired. Tirado Pantoja also stated that the agents' vehicle struck their van from behind and then again on the driver's side. Victor Salgado, the deceased's brother and another passenger, remains detained and is also seeking release. The DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the judge's decision.

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We are very happy that Mr. Tirado can be reunited with his family.