ICE Officer Fatally Shoots Man in Maine During Enforcement Operation
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a man in his vehicle in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday morning, an incident that officials have since confirmed involved a person who was not the intended target of the federal warrant.
The shooting occurred at approximately 7 a.m. ET as agents were conducting surveillance at the last known address of an individual with a final order of removal. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), agents attempted to stop a vehicle leaving the location when the driver attempted to flee. DHS stated that an officer discharged his weapon, citing concerns for “public safety.”
Conflicting Accounts Regarding the Target
Initial reports provided to Maine’s congressional delegation regarding the identity of the victim were contradictory. Independent Sen. Angus King stated that Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin initially informed him that the man killed was the intended target of an arrest warrant. However, approximately three hours later, Secretary Mullin contacted the senator to provide updated information, confirming that the man killed was not the individual they were seeking.
Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree noted that she had heard on good authority that the agency may have shot the wrong person. While DHS has not publicly confirmed the identity of the deceased, a source with knowledge of the investigation identified him to CBS News as Joan Sebastian Guerrero. An immigrant rights group identified the victim as a 26-year-old native of Colombia.
Discrepancies in the Use of Force
There is a lack of consensus regarding the circumstances leading up to the gunfire. Senator King reported that Secretary Mullin initially used the term “weaponized” to describe the victim’s actions, suggesting the man tried to use his vehicle against agents. However, the official statement released by DHS later that day did not use that language, focusing instead on a general concern for public safety. Senator King has expressed skepticism, stating, “we haven’t seen evidence” to support the claim that the officer’s safety was at risk. He also confirmed that the ICE agents involved in the shooting were not wearing body cameras. The Maine Attorney General’s office, which is conducting an independent investigation, stated that initial reports indicated the man attempted to flee in the direction of an officer from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations directorate.
For more on this story, see ICE Agent Kills Colombian Man Not Targeted by Warrant in Maine Shooting.
Evidence and Witness Testimony
Security camera footage of the incident, obtained by news outlets, shows a white sedan driving in circles in an intersection before being struck by an SUV with flashing lights. The footage depicts agents approaching the vehicle and pulling a person from the driver’s side. Witnesses at the scene provided harrowing accounts of the aftermath. One witness, Daniel Boucher, reported hearing a series of shots and claimed to hear the victim say, “I tried to stop.” Another witness, Mary Hayes, described seeing the man’s wife fall to her knees as their young daughter cried nearby. Neighbors and advocates have described the victim as a father who was trying to provide for his family.
This follows our earlier report, ICE Officer Kills Colombian Man in Maine; Multiple Agencies Investigate.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact
The investigation into the shooting is being led by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general with assistance from the FBI. The Maine Attorney General’s office is also conducting a review of the incident.
The death has sparked significant community unrest. Protests were organized in Biddeford and outside the office of Sen. Susan Collins, who confirmed she was briefed on the federal oversight of the investigation. The Colombian Embassy has issued a statement expressing regret over the death of a Colombian national and confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family while seeking clarification from DHS.
The following summary outlines the primary details surrounding the incident:
| Detail | Information |
| :— | :— |
| Location | Biddeford, Maine |
| Time of Incident | Approximately 7 a.m. ET, Monday |
| Victim | 26-year-old Colombian national (identified as Joan Sebastian Guerrero) |
| Status of Target | Confirmed by officials as not the intended target of the warrant |
| Lead Investigators | DHS Inspector General, FBI, and Maine Attorney General |
| Body Cameras | None worn by agents involved |
As the investigation progresses, the incident marks the second time in a week that ICE officers have utilized deadly force within the United States.
Read also: ICE Agents Fatally Shoot 26-Year-Old Man During Biddeford, Maine Incident.
Find more reporting in our News section.
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