Fresno protesters demand answers in ICE shooting death of Texas father

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Community activists and members gathered under sweltering heat to express their growing frustration and calls for accountability in the shooting death of a father and construction worker in Texas.

"Today it's Lorenzo Salgado; tomorrow it could be my husband, my brother, and my cousin. Tomorrow it could be someone closer to us," said Cristina Gutierrez, a volunteer with the Fresno May First Coalition.

Young people leading the crowd in chants including "Say it loud, say it clear -- immigrants are welcome here."

Extreme triple-digit heat did not stop community members from gathering outside the Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse in Downtown Fresno Friday to demand justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.

"Lorenzo Salgado's life mattered, and we will not be silenced," said Alfredo Aldrete, a co-founder with the community activist group Fresno Resistance.

On Tuesday morning, the 52-year-old father, husband, and construction worker was on his way to work when he was pulled over by ICE agents during a traffic stop in east Houston.

The agency alleged that Salgado Araujo " weaponized his vehicle" and tried to run over an officer during the stop, prompting the officer to fire their weapon "in self-defense."

D.H.S. later revealed Salgado Araujo was not the intended target of the enforcement, and that agents were in unmarked vehicles not wearing body-cameras.

His family stated he was in the process of obtaining legal status after nearly 35 years in the U.S.

"We will not stand for more injustice. We demand justice now," said a community activist.

In the days since the shooting death of Salgado Araujo, community members coming together to express their growing frustration and to protest for transparency in a case that has now garnered national attention.

"Lorenzo's family should not be planning a funeral. They should be planning a Sunday dinner," said another advocate.

Many carried signs with messages that read "Fuera ICE" which translates to Abolish ICE, including in public spaces like courthouses.

"ICE in the courthouse is bad for public safety because witnesses will be reluctant to come to court," said Public Defender Jose Salazar.

The symbolism of the American flag lowered not lost on those protesting under in triple-digit heat.

"That flag is supposed to represent, you know, the entirety of the people here in the nation, not just some, not just the few. Everyone that comes here, including our undocumented brothers and sisters," said Aldrete.

D.H.S. said the shooting remains under investigation by its Office of the Inspector General.

Meantime, Salgado Araujo's sons have called for an independent investigation into their father's death, which has been listed as a homicide by the Harris County Medical Examiner.

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