A 26-year-old man from Colombia died Monday morning after being shot by a federal immigration agent in Biddeford, Maine. Neighbors identified him as Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a husband and father to a 3-year-old daughter.
The shooting happened around 7 a.m. on Pool Street as Guerrero was reportedly on his way to work. His neighbor, Nelson Elias, said he woke up to loud voices and officers telling Guerrero to stop his car. Moments later, he heard about six gunshots.
When he went outside, he found Guerrero on the ground and his wife screaming beside him while their young daughter stood nearby.
Elias described Guerrero as quiet, hardworking, and devoted to his family. He said he believed his neighbor was simply trying to escape and was not a danger to anyone.
Officials Give Conflicting Details
The Maine attorney general’s office said the agent opened fire after Guerrero allegedly tried to flee toward the officer. The agent has been placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.
The Department of Homeland Security stayed silent for nearly 12 hours before issuing a brief statement saying the officer fired because he feared for public safety. The statement did not explain what specific threat the officer believed he faced, a gap that reportedly left even experienced law enforcement officials confused.
Adding to the confusion, Senator Angus King said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin gave him two different accounts. King initially said he was told Guerrero was the target of a federal warrant. He later said Mullin corrected that claim, confirming Guerrero was not the person named in the warrant at all.
Community Demands Answers
Surveillance video obtained by the Associated Press appears to show agents stopping Guerrero’s car before pulling him from the vehicle and placing his body on the ground. It is not clear whether the footage captures the actual moment of the shooting.
Since the incident, residents have gathered at the scene to leave flowers, candles, and handwritten signs, including one that reads “Immigrants make Biddeford great.” Biddeford’s mayor said the community is mourning the loss of a father, partner, and neighbor.
Local and state leaders are calling for a full and transparent investigation into what led to the shooting, including whether the use of deadly force was justified under federal policy.
This story is still developing, and further updates are expected as the investigation continues.
