Man killed by ICE agents in Maine identified by family friend

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BIDDEFORD, Maine —

One person was killed Monday morning in a shooting involving federal immigration agents in Biddeford, Maine.

On Monday afternoon, Maine Sen. Angus King’s office told sister station WMTW that the senator had spoken with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and was told that the victim of the shooting was not the target of a warrant on Monday.

Initially, King said he was told by Homeland Security that the person who was killed was a man in his 20’s who had been given an order to leave the country. According to WMTW, King said DHS told him that the person “weaponized the vehicle” and that they were shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

A family friend told WMTW that the man was Joan Sebastian Guerrero, 26, of Colombia. The friend said Guerrero leaves behind a wife, a 3-year-old child and a sister.

The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition identified the victim as a 26-year-old man from Colombia. Mufalo Chitam, the group’s executive director, told CNN that the man was on his way to work. The group said the man was authorized to work in the U.S. and was issued a Social Security number.

Federal officials have not confirmed any of those details about the victim.

The Colombian Embassy shared a statement on Monday afternoon:

“The Embassy of Colombia in the United States, through its Consular Section, is in contact with the relevant U.S. authorities and with representatives of community organizations [sic] assisting in the case. Consular officials are working to formally confirm the individual’s identity and nationality and to determine the appropriate procedures in accordance with applicable legal and consular protocols.”

Joan Sebastian Guerrero

The Biddeford Police Department confirmed that the incident involved ICE personnel. Ryan Fecteau, Maine’s Speaker of the House, said a person was killed in a shooting.

“A person was killed. ICE was involved,” he said. “State Police and the Department of Public Safety are now on scene to gather details and would expect the FBI to investigate as well.”

Video shows the shooting

Surveillance video shows the moments leading up to and including the deadly ICE shooting in Biddeford, Maine. The video shows the white car that was shot at entering the intersection and beginning to turn right in a circle.

The video then zooms in on where the car comes to a stop, and officers can be seen removing a person from the car.

WMTW reported seeing Maine State Police and the FBI at the scene along with the Biddeford Police Crime Scene Unit.

Numerous crime scene markers could also be seen on the road.

An FBI spokesperson confirmed to sister station WCVB that agents responded to the shooting incident, but said no other comment was available.

A neighbor told WMTW that she was awoken at about 8 a.m. by the sound of gunshots and then noticed a lot of law enforcement.

Valerie Brinkman said the victim lived in her building, which is just feet from where he was shot. Brinkman said the man’s wife came running frantically out of the building when she heard the gunshots.

“She felt the need to run out into the street and into the arms of danger so she could be close to the spirit of her husband,” Brinkman said.

Troy Jackson, who is running for U.S. Senate, posted, “I’ve been alerted to the fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford this morning. Our team is monitoring this situation very closely and will provide updates as we learn more. My heart is with Biddeford – and with all Mainers.”