A Colombian citizen was shot and killed by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine, prompting a federal investigation and public demonstrations.
According to ICE, officers were monitoring a residence early Monday morning in search of an individual who had received a final deportation order.
Authorities said they attempted to stop a vehicle leaving the property, but the driver allegedly tried to escape.
An officer then opened fire, claiming concerns for public safety after the vehicle reportedly moved toward law enforcement personnel.
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey confirmed the officer involved belongs to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division and has been placed on administrative leave while the case is investigated.
Preliminary findings indicate the driver attempted to move the vehicle toward the officer before being shot.
Officials have not disclosed the victim’s identity, stating that formal identification and notification of relatives must occur first.
The investigation has been handed to the Office of Inspector General within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for reviewing incidents involving federal immigration officers.
Senator Susan Collins called for an independent and comprehensive inquiry into the shooting, while Senator Angus King revealed that DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin initially informed him the deceased was the subject of the immigration operation.
King later said he was told the victim was not the individual officers had intended to arrest.
Reacting to the development, Maine Governor Janet Mills criticised the operation, describing the death of someone who was apparently not the intended target as deeply troubling. She argued that the incident raises serious concerns about the manner in which immigration enforcement activities are being carried out.
Colombia’s Embassy in Washington confirmed the victim was a Colombian national and said it had formally requested details from US authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The embassy pledged to continue monitoring the investigation.
The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition identified the deceased as a 26-year-old Colombian who had legal authorisation to work in the United States.
The organisation described him as a valued member of the local community whose life ended tragically.
The shooting triggered protests in Biddeford, with demonstrators demanding accountability. Additional protesters assembled outside Senator Collins’ office, criticising congressional funding for ICE.
Witnesses reported seeing unmarked federal vehicles and officers wearing ICE identification surrounding a white sedan before several gunshots rang out.
Residents also described emotional scenes as the victim’s wife and young daughter arrived moments after the shooting.
Senator King said investigators would determine whether the use of lethal force was justified, noting that the officers involved were not equipped with body-worn cameras.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of ICE following another fatal shooting earlier this month in Houston, Texas, where a Mexican construction worker was killed during a separate immigration operation.
Authorities later acknowledged that he was also not the intended subject of the enforcement action but alleged he had driven his vehicle toward an officer.
Civil rights groups have repeatedly criticised recent federal immigration crackdowns, accusing authorities of employing excessive force and aggressive enforcement tactics during operations across several states.
A lawsuit challenging those practices remains before the courts.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong