Final witness of fatal ICE shooting in Houston released from detention center, attorney says
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The third and final witness to the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston's Magnolia Park in July has been released from ICE custody, according to Attorney Ruby Powers.
Powers shared the news with ABC13's Daniela Hurtado on Sunday evening.
Victor Salgado was taken into federal custody after an ICE agent shot and killed his brother, Lorenzo, on July 7, 2026.
His nephew, Ronaldo Salgado, released a statement on social media confirming that his uncle was released Sunday morning. Ronaldo Salgado added that Victor was reunited with his family and was finally able to process the loss of his older brother and the nearly two months he spent in immigration detention.
Powers also released a statement, saying that her team pursued multiple avenues to secure Victor's release from custody.
"We are incredibly grateful to see Victor free after more than 50 days of uncertainty and separation from his family," Powers said in the statement.
Rep. Sylvia Garcia released a statement about the release as well, saying Victor Salgado "never should have spent nearly two months in ICE custody after watching an ICE agent shoot and kill his brother, Lorenzo."
FIEL Houston, a pro-immigrant rights organization that has worked with Salgado's family and with community members, said that Salgado's release on Sunday was a "key step in the long road to justice."
Daniel Tirado Pantoja was the second man who witnessed the fatal shooting of Lorenzo, and ABC13 reported he was released on Wednesday, a day after a federal judge ordered his release.
Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego was the first witness who was released from ICE custody. He was released on July 29 after a judge ordered his release days earlier.
Victor Salgado was being held at the Montgomery ICE Processing Center in Conroe.
This is a developing story. Eyewitness News is continuing to gather facts.
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