During a hearing in Maine, Democratic Representative Chellie Pingree disclosed that the person killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in July was not the subject of the agency’s targeted operation. Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian national, was shot by an ICE agent near his Biddeford residence. Pingree stated that the intended target was actually Durán Guerrero’s roommate, who owned the vehicle Durán Guerrero was operating at the time of the incident.
Pingree characterized the discovery as contradicting prior statements from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security regarding the circumstances of the shooting. She noted that Durán Guerrero did not have a final removal order, though he did have a pending asylum case and held a valid work permit. Pingree called the shooting “a shocking revelation” and stated that fundamental questions about the incident remained unanswered by federal authorities.
The Department of Homeland Security defended its prior assessment of the event, with a spokesperson stating that ICE was conducting surveillance on “the last known address of an illegal alien with a final order of removal.” The agency declined to disclose specific law enforcement details and said it had not identified either Durán Guerrero or his roommate as the target. Federal authorities previously stated that Durán Guerrero attempted to flee and that the officer fired in response to perceived threats to public safety.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Maine Attorney General’s office. Democratic House members convened in Biddeford to examine ICE’s use of deadly force policies. Reports indicated the involved officer had prior issues with violent conduct and mental health concerns, prompting lawmakers to seek information on agent training and vetting procedures. The incident appeared to prompt ICE to consider suspending most vehicle stops, though President Donald Trump expressed opposition to that policy adjustment.
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