ICE Agents Involved in Fatal Shooting of Colombian National

Federal immigration agents shot and killed Joan Sebastian Guerrero shortly after 7 a.m. on a Monday in Biddeford, Maine. The incident involved ICE agents who fired five shots at Guerrero while he was in his vehicle.

Currently, there is no video footage capturing the moments leading up to the shooting or the shooting itself. Critical questions remain unanswered, like the number of agents who discharged their weapons. However, some videos available offer new insights into the encounter, indicating Guerrero was shot before his car moved into an intersection.

The Department of Homeland Security released a statement on Tuesday. They claimed Guerrero, a Colombian national, attempted to escape from immigration agents in his vehicle. DHS noted an agent fired after fearing for public safety. In communication with Congress members, DHS alleged Guerrero had “weaponized his vehicle toward law enforcement.” This terminology has appeared in other recent cases involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

There have been instances where ICE officials claimed motorists “weaponized” vehicles, though video analysis and witnesses sometimes dispute these claims. A surveillance video obtained by The New York Times captures voices shouting, “Move it, let’s go,” and “Back, Back!” before five shots are fired. Neither Guerrero nor the agents are visible in the footage.