ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Colombian National in Maine
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a Colombian national during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine. This incident occurred approximately one week after ICE used deadly force against another migrant during a traffic stop in Texas.
According to ICE, agents were surveilling an address linked to a person with a final order of removal at around 07:00 EDT (11:00 GMT) on Monday. When ICE attempted to stop a vehicle leaving that address, the vehicle tried to flee the scene. ICE stated that, fearing for public safety, an officer discharged his weapon, striking the driver.
Dozens of demonstrators gathered in Biddeford following the shooting.
ICE has not disclosed specific details explaining why the officer feared for safety during the encounter.
Investigation and Official Statements
Maine's Attorney General Aaron Frey, a Democrat, confirmed the involvement of an ICE Enforcement Removal Operations officer, who has since been placed on leave pending an investigation. Frey stated that initial reports indicate the subject attempted to flee in a vehicle toward the officer and was fatally shot.
The deceased man's identity has not been released pending formal identification and notification of his family.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General is leading the investigation, as confirmed by Senator Susan Collins, a Republican representing Maine.
Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine, initially was informed by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin that the individual shot was the target of an arrest warrant in an immigration operation. However, King later received clarification from Mullin that the man was not the warrant target, according to King's office.
Victim's Identity and Community Response
The Embassy of Colombia confirmed the deceased was a Colombian national. The Embassy has requested information and clarification from DHS regarding the circumstances of the death and is closely monitoring the investigation.
The Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition identified the victim as a 26-year-old Colombian authorized to work in the United States. The organization described him as a community member and neighbor whose life was tragically cut short.
Protests erupted in Biddeford, located 18 miles (30 km) south of Portland, following the shooting. Additional demonstrations took place outside Senator Collins' office, objecting to her vote to fund ICE.
Senator Collins has called for a full and impartial investigation into the incident.
Eyewitness Accounts
A witness told the Biddeford Gazette that at approximately 07:20 local time, he observed flashing lights from an unmarked white SUV and at least two officers wearing green ICE vests. Lucas Scott, a Biddeford resident, reported that agents were shouting as they surrounded a white sedan, followed by at least four gunshots.
Another witness, Mary Hayes, told the Associated Press that the man who was killed lived nearby with his wife and daughter. She described seeing the wife collapse to her knees beside her husband's body, and the couple's young daughter crying with a pink backpack, realizing she would never see her father again.
Details from Officials and Further Investigation
Senator King relayed that DHS Secretary Mullin informed him the man was shot after attempting to use his vehicle as a weapon against police. King quoted Mullin stating the vehicle was "weaponised" and that the ICE agent responded with deadly force.
King also noted that the officers involved were not wearing body cameras. The investigation will assess whether the use of deadly force was justified.
"That's what this investigation is all about and I certainly intend to stay after it to do everything I can to be sure the investigation is as transparent and thorough as possible,"
King said, according to the Associated Press.
Context and Previous Incidents
This incident has renewed scrutiny of DHS and ICE operations. On 7 July, an ICE officer fatally shot 52-year-old builder Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop in Houston, Texas. Federal officials later acknowledged that Araujo was not the intended target of the operation but stated he had attempted to run over an ICE agent.
Markwayne Mullin assumed leadership of DHS in March, succeeding Kristi Noem, who was dismissed by then-President Donald Trump. During Noem's tenure, immigration officers fatally shot two American citizens, protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Good, following enforcement surges announced by the Trump administration in Minnesota and other states.
In January, federal officials launched a similar enforcement operation in Maine called Operation Catch of the Day. Civil rights organizations have filed lawsuits alleging aggressive tactics by federal agents during these enforcement surges.
