Protests Erupt Over Colombian Man’s Death in Maine

Hundreds gathered in Maine to protest the killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a Colombian national, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. The incident occurred in Biddeford, sparking public outcry and demands for accountability.

Conflicting Accounts of the Incident

The Department of Homeland Security stated that the officer feared for public safety, leading to the shooting. Officials initially described the altercation as an attempt by Durán Guerrero to flee in his vehicle. However, Senator Angus King’s earlier account mentioned that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin informed him the shooting happened after Durán Guerrero allegedly used his vehicle as a weapon.

Durán Guerrero was 26 years old, and his shooting marks the second instance of deadly force by ICE in a week. The officers involved did not wear body cameras, raising questions about the true sequence of events. Details, such as the proximity of the officer to the vehicle when the shots were fired and whether the officers warned Durán Guerrero to stop, remain unclear.

Community Response

“These people are killers and they must leave our state now,” stated protest organizer Todd Chretien.

Protests erupted outside an ICE detention center, with demonstrators holding signs like “Stop the murder” and “End this terror.” A small group attempted to disrupt the rally, but protesters drowned them out with whistles.

The Maine attorney general’s office and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, in conjunction with the FBI, are investigating the shooting. Bullet holes were visible in the car’s windshield.

Witness Accounts and Video Evidence

Nearby business security footage showed the aftermath of the incident. The video depicted a white car making circles at an intersection, blocked by law enforcement vehicles, with officers eventually dragging out a limp body.

Daniel Boucher, a resident, reported seeing the aftermath from his window and described the scene. Boucher stated the victim’s face was bloody, and he heard Durán Guerrero say, “I tried to stop.” When confronting the officer, Boucher recollected the officer claiming, “He tried to run me over.” Durán Guerrero was reportedly authorized to work in the U.S., according to advocacy groups.

Impact on Family and Community

Mary Hayes, who witnessed the aftermath, recounted seeing Durán Guerrero’s wife, with their young daughter grieving at the scene. Hayes held a sign saying, “No ICE Stop ICE.”

In a separate incident in Houston, ICE fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo amid a crackdown on deportations by the Trump administration. Over 10,000 arrests occurred during a five-day span in June, with strong criticism following.