A Colombian man was shot dead by an ICE agent during an operation in Maine, prompting protests and an investigation.
A Colombian national was killed after an ICE agent opened fire during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents were monitoring an address linked to a person with a final removal order. Officers attempted to stop a vehicle leaving the location. ICE claimed the driver tried to flee, and an officer fired after fearing for public safety.
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said the officer has been placed on administrative leave while the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General investigates the shooting.
Officials later confirmed the man who died was not the person originally targeted in the operation. Maine Governor Janet Mills criticised the incident, describing it as “deeply disturbing” and questioning the conduct of federal immigration enforcement.
Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots before seeing the victim’s family at the scene. Protests later broke out in Biddeford, with demonstrators demanding accountability and greater transparency.
The Colombian Embassy has requested clarification from US authorities. The shooting comes just one week after another migrant was fatally shot by an ICE agent during in Texas. A chain of events that has renewed scrutiny of the agency’s use of deadly force.
Federal investigators are now examining whether the officer’s actions were justified.
