An illegal migrant has been shot dead by an Ice agent in Houston after allegedly ramming a law enforcement vehicle while attempting to evade capture, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.
Federal agents were attempting to stop a vehicle driven by Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national living in the US illegally, on Tuesday morning.
In a statement, Ice said the traffic stop formed part of a "targeted enforcement operation" in a predominantly Latino area of the city.
According to the agency, Mr Araujo "rammed an Ice law enforcement vehicle, refused to follow multiple verbal commands, and weaponised his vehicle in an attempt to run over an Ice law enforcement officer".
The agent then "fired his weapon in self-defence", striking the driver.
Mr Araujo was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he later died.
The Houston Fire Department confirmed it dispatched first responders to the scene at 6.51am, where they found Mr Araujo suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Ronaldo Salgado, who identified himself as the son of the dead motorist, told Spanish-language television station Telemundo Houston that his father had been searching for workers for hire when he was shot.
Federal agents attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national living in the US illegally, on Tuesday morning
| GETTYIn a post on social media, an account claiming to belong to Ronaldo insisted his father was in the "process of obtaining his work permit through the legal process" and "was on his way to work, picking up his workers" when the fatal shooting occurred.
Responding to the incident, Democratic congresswoman Sylvia Garcia said she was "aware" of the deadly confrontation in Houston's Magnolia Park area.
She said: "Ice has released an initial account, but the facts must be independently and thoroughly investigated, including the circumstances that led to the use of deadly force.
"All available footage, communications, and other evidence should be preserved and reviewed as part of a full and impartial investigation.
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Ice said the traffic stop formed part of a 'targeted enforcement operation' in a predominantly Latino area of the city
|REUTERS
"The victim’s family, my constituents, and the entire community deserve a complete and transparent accounting of what happened."
FBI Houston spokesman Connor Hagan said the bureau is leading the investigation into the alleged assault on a federal law enforcement officer.
Mr Hagan added that the DHS's Office of Inspector General is leading a separate investigation into the fatal shooting.
The Trump administration has faced growing scrutiny over its immigration enforcement operations following a series of fatal encounters involving federal officers.
Democrat congresswoman Sylvia Garcia said she was 'aware' of the deadly confrontation in Houston's Magnolia Park area
|REUTERS
In January, 37-year-old US citizen Renee Good was shot dead in her car by Ice agents in Minneapolis.
Her death sparked demonstrations across the country, with protesters demanding Mr Trump abandon his immigration crackdown
Two weeks later, 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents.
Last year, federal immigration agents also shot and killed 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez during a late-night traffic stop.