Colombian National Fatally Shot by ICE Agent in Maine

Washington DC. A Colombian national has died from a gunshot during an operation by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in the state of Maine, USA. This incident occurred a week after another incident of fatal force against an immigrant in Texas last week.

According to ICE, on Monday morning around 7 AM local time, agents were monitoring a person with a final deportation order at an address in Biddeford, Maine. As a vehicle exited from the same address, agents attempted to stop it.

ICE stated that an officer fired a shot because the vehicle attempted to flee and posed a threat to public safety. The driver, who was shot, died at the scene. Further details on why the officer perceived a threat to public safety have not been released. Following the incident, dozens of protesters gathered in Biddeford to protest the event.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey informed that an officer from ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations division was involved in the incident and has been placed on leave until the investigation is completed. According to preliminary details, the person attempted to flee by driving the vehicle towards the officer, after which the officer fired, stated Attorney General Frey.

The formal identification of the deceased and notification of the family will be made before their name is released. The investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins stated that the said office has taken charge of the investigation.

According to Maine Independent Senator Angus King, initially, U.S. Department of Homeland Security official Markwen Mullin stated that the deceased person was someone the authorities were trying to apprehend during immigration proceedings. However, a few hours later, Mullin re-contacted and said that the person who died from the gunshot was not the intended target for apprehension.

The Colombian embassy confirmed that the deceased was a Colombian national and stated that it has sought information and clarification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the circumstances of the incident. The embassy also mentioned that it would closely monitor the progress of the investigation.

According to the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, the deceased was a 26-year-old Colombian national who had permission to work legally in the USA.