HOUSTON — A crystal-like substance found inside the van of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Houston earlier this month, tested negative for narcotics or other illicit drugs, according to U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the family’s attorney.
Garcia said the substance was an electrolyte powder used to stay hydrated while working outdoors in the Texas heat, supporting the family’s account that it was not an illegal drug.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said it had been notified that laboratory testing found the substance was negative for narcotics but declined to comment further because the FBI has not publicly released the results.
Houston immigration attorney Ruby Powers, who represents Salgado Araujo’s brother, said the Texas Department of Public Safety informed the family that preliminary testing showed the substance was not an illegal drug. She said the full laboratory report is expected Monday.
The FBI previously sought a search warrant after an agent reported seeing plastic bags inside the van and suspected they contained methamphetamine based on their appearance. The affidavit became public before the search was completed.
Salgado Araujo, an undocumented Mexican father of three U.S. citizen sons, was killed July 7 after ICE agents stopped his work van in east Houston. Federal authorities said he attempted to use the vehicle against officers, prompting an agent to fire in self-defense.
The three other men in the van dispute that account, saying Salgado Araujo had already stopped the vehicle when he was shot and that no agent was in its path.
Federal and state authorities continue investigating the shooting.