Another witness ordered released after a fatal shooting by a federal immigration agent in Texas

A second witness in the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Houston has been released from custody after more than a month in detention. Daniel Tirado Pantoja was among the three passengers in Salgado Araujo's work van when the shooting occurred on July 7. The Department of Homeland Security stated that Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who resided in the U.S. illegally for 35 years, "weaponized his vehicle" and that the officer fired in self-defense.

However, Tirado Pantoja and the other passenger, Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, have disputed the DHS account, claiming that the agents were not in front of the ICE vehicle and that Salgado Araujo had put it in park when the shooting began. U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett released Tirado Pantoja, finding that he had no criminal record and posed no risk to the community.

The other passenger, Rojas Pliego, was already released from detention. Salgado Araujo's brother, Victor Salgado, remains in custody and has also requested his release.