Release of Second Witness in Federal Agent Shooting Case

In a significant development following a tragic shooting incident in Houston, a second witness has been released from custody after spending over a month detained. Daniel Tirado Pantoja was one of three passengers in a work van when federal immigration agent Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot on July 7.

The Department of Homeland Security claims that Salgado Araujo, who had lived in the U.S. without legal status for 35 years, posed a threat by 'weaponizing' his vehicle, prompting the agent to act in self-defense. However, Pantoja and another passenger, Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, contest this narrative, asserting that the agents were never in front of their vehicle and that Salgado Araujo had parked before the shooting began.

U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ordered Pantoja's release, noting his clean criminal record and lack of flight risk. Pantoja's attorney, Ross Miller, expressed relief at the ruling, emphasizing the importance of family reunification. Meanwhile, Victor Salgado, who was also in the van, remains in custody and is seeking his own release.

Source: www.independent.co.uk