Harris County leaders on Thursday unanimously passed a measure to set aside $2.5 million over three years to support District Attorney Sean Teare’s independent investigation into the shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during an ICE operation in Magnolia Park last month.

Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by an ICE officer on July 7.

…

Commissioner Rodney Ellis, County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Teare spoke during a media briefing tied to the Commissioners Court agenda item. Ellis said the funding is intended to ensure the DA has what he needs to conduct what he called a thorough, credible review.

Teare emphasized the money would not simply be absorbed into his office’s general budget. Instead, he described a dedicated funding structure that can be accessed as expenses arise.

…

Teare said the request anticipates the need for additional full-time personnel focused on the case — including prosecutorial and investigative support — because the civil rights team already handles a heavy workload.

He also said the plan includes funding for technology used to gather and analyze evidence, describing the rising cost of forensic work tied to modern vehicles and other digital data.

Another component, he said, is potential outside counsel. Teare noted his office primarily handles state criminal cases, but if charges are filed they could face litigation in federal court, including disputes related to federal jurisdiction and legal defenses. He said his office has been working with the Harris County Attorney’s Office on those possibilities.

…

Teare said the county’s three-year funding window reflects the possibility of a prolonged legal battle if the case moves toward charges, pointing to complications that can arise when local prosecutors investigate federal agents.

He said the investigation itself is moving quickly, crediting residents for calling and submitting tips. Teare also said his office has been able to communicate at varying levels with the three people who survived the incident, arguing that interviews are more effective when witnesses are not detained. He said one witness — José Trinidad Rojas Pliego — has been released, and he questioned why the other two remain in custody.

On the federal side, Teare said his office has not had collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, which he said appears to be running the federal investigation. He contrasted that with his office’s regular work with the local FBI.

Teare said his office has collected a significant amount of evidence but acknowledged there are pieces only the federal government controls.

“If that’s going into federal court in Washington D.C. and suing people, that’s what we’re going to do,” Teare said. “We will not be stopped by a no.”