In brief
On Monday in Biddeford, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fired upon a Colombian man fleeing an enforcement sweep, killing him on the spot. The incident prompted immediate local protests and intensified scrutiny over ICE use of deadly force. The state's attorney general and state senators announced full investigations, while the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General will lead the inquiry. The victim’s family and the Colombian embassy await further details as the case plays out.
In a shocking incident this Monday, an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations agent used lethal force on a Colombian national during a surveillance operation in Biddeford, Maine. The agent was clearing a property linked to a final removal order and fired after the subject, while driving away, supposedly attempted to flee the area.
Witnesses report that the agent shouted and the vehicle – described as a white sedan – was struck by a burst of gunfire, resulting in the victim’s death on site. Local residents and civil‑rights groups gathered immediately afterward, chanting against ICE near the state capitol and outside Senator Susan Collins’s office after she voted to fund the agency.
Both the state Attorney General and Governor’s office announced full investigations. The Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General will lead the probe, while DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed the individual was not the intended target for the enforcement operation.
The Colombian embassy has requested clarification from DHS and highlighted the victim’s age and worker‑permit status, previously confirmed by the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition. As the investigation continues, additional details on the circumstances and use of force are expected.
