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Salvadoran McDonald's worker shot and injured after ICE pursuit crash in Maryland

Dec 24, 2025·Location: Stevensville, MD

Country of origin: El Salvador

Salvadoran McDonald's worker shot and injured after ICE pursuit crash in Maryland
Photo via thebanner.com

Óscar José Araujo-Mejía, a 21-year-old from El Salvador who had lived in the U.S. for four years and worked at McDonald's, was seriously injured after ICE agents pursued his vehicle through Glen Burnie, Maryland. A relative who witnessed the chase said agents in unmarked vehicles rammed his car and beat him while pulling him from the vehicle, while ICE and DHS said agents fired after Araujo-Mejía failed to stop and drove into several ICE vehicles, nearly striking an agent before crashing between two buildings. He suffered a head wound requiring 29 stitches, fractures to his vertebrae and skull, and was later listed in fair condition at a Maryland trauma center. A passenger from Portugal was also injured in the crash. His family said hospital policy prevented them from visiting him or receiving updates on his condition, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore criticized ICE's enforcement tactics in the state following the incident.

Timeline

Dec 24, 2025—Reports indicated ICE agents shot Araujo-Mejía during the pursuit before his van crashed between two buildings, injuring a Portuguese passenger as well.
Aug 21, 2025—ICE agents pursued Óscar José Araujo-Mejía's vehicle in Maryland, resulting in a crash and hospitalization for spinal and head injuries; ICE denied using force.
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