A federal investigation is continuing after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a man during an enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine. New information released by public officials indicates that the man who died was not the person authorities had originally intended to arrest.
According to the office of Senator Angus King, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that the 26-year-old Colombian man killed during Monday’s operation was not the subject of the arrest warrant. The clarification came after earlier information suggested the man had been the intended target of immigration enforcement.
The man has not been publicly identified by authorities. However, immigrant advocacy organizations said he was a Colombian national who was legally authorized to work in the United States and had been issued a Social Security number. The Colombian Embassy in Washington said it is working with US officials to confirm his identity and provide assistance to his family.
ICE said officers were conducting surveillance at the last known address of a person with a final order of removal when they observed a vehicle leaving the location. According to the agency, officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver tried to leave the scene.
The agency said an ICE officer fired a weapon after believing there was a threat to public safety. ICE has not publicly identified the officer involved or provided additional details about the circumstances leading to the shooting.
Officials have not confirmed whether the driver who was shot was connected to the individual being sought during the operation. The agency’s statement did not mention any additional occupants in the vehicle.
Several investigations are now underway. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General is leading the federal investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Maine Attorney General’s Office is also conducting an independent review of the incident.
Senator King has called for a complete and transparent investigation. He said investigators must determine exactly what happened and whether the use of deadly force was legally justified.
One issue receiving attention is the lack of body camera footage. King said he was informed that the ICE officers involved were not equipped with body cameras during the operation, although the agency is reportedly expanding their use.
Residents living near the scene described hearing multiple gunshots before seeing emergency vehicles arrive. One nearby witness said he heard the wounded driver state that he had tried to stop. Another resident said the incident occurred outside his home and described seeing emergency responders and investigators at the scene.
Neighbors also said they recognized the man from the local community. Some described him as a delivery driver and family man who lived nearby with his wife and young daughter. Community members gathered near the scene throughout the day, expressing grief and support for the family.
Later that evening, dozens of protesters gathered in Biddeford calling for greater accountability and changes to federal immigration enforcement practices. Demonstrators carried signs while demanding answers about the shooting. Public officials also urged investigators to provide clear information about the events.
The shooting comes during a period of increased immigration enforcement across the United States. Federal authorities have expanded enforcement operations in recent weeks, leading to a significant increase in immigration arrests nationwide.
The Biddeford case also follows another fatal ICE shooting in Texas earlier this month. In that incident, federal officials said officers opened fire after believing a driver posed a threat with a vehicle. Both cases remain under investigation.
Several national political leaders have responded to the Maine shooting by calling for greater transparency. Some lawmakers have requested independent reviews of the incident and questioned current enforcement procedures, while others have emphasized allowing investigators to complete their work before drawing conclusions.
Authorities have not announced when the investigations will be completed. Federal and state officials say additional information will be released after investigators finish reviewing witness statements, physical evidence, official reports, and any available video related to the incident.
