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Maine shooting, identified
In Augusta, Maine, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer identified by relatives and records as David Brouillette shot and killed Colombian national Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero on Monday while Durán Guerrero was in his car near his home in the coastal Maine city of Biddeford.
“Reports have emerged that David Brouillette, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who shot and killed Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero in the United States, was hired despite a troubling history of violent behaviour”
The AP reported that Brouillette, 37, is an Army veteran who relatives said had serious mental health issues since early childhood and a history of violent behavior, including allegations that he attacked women in his life.
The AP also said ICE spokesperson Lauren Bis stated in a statement that, "We will never confirm or deny attempts to dox our law enforcement officers," and that the officer has nearly a decade of federal law enforcement experience with required training including use of force training.
The AP further reported that DHS has said the “vehicle attempted to flee the scene and, fearing for public safety, an officer discharged his weapon,” and that Brouillette did not respond to text messages or an email seeking comment.
Lawmakers demand answers
Democratic lawmakers pressed the Department of Homeland Security for answers after the AP disclosed Brouillette’s history of mental health issues and violent behavior, with Rep. Bennie Thompson telling the AP that the officer’s record and the death in Biddeford, Maine, "directly call into question the supposed vetting and training ICE does of its recruits."
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer echoed the concerns, accusing the Trump administration and Republicans of prioritizing a hiring spree in ICE without adequate safeguards, saying, "The Trump administration rushed 12,000 agents onto our streets without ensuring they were fit to carry a badge and a gun — and Republicans gave this rogue agency vast power and no accountability,"
Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement that an "impartial investigation into the shooting in Biddeford needs to proceed, as the details surrounding this tragedy are important," and she said she had spoken to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
The Hill also reported that ICE temporarily halted traffic stops following the incident, while Trump called for the practice to be reinstated shortly after, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump and Mullin were "on the same page" regarding roadside checks.
Next steps and stakes
The AP reported that at least 10 people have died in encounters with immigration agents since Trump launched the crackdown after retaking office, including 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, and that the White House referred questions about the shooting and Brouillette to ICE.
“AP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say AP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood and never should have been given a badge and gun to patrol American streets, several of his close relatives told The Associated Press”
In Biddeford, Maine, the AP said DHS has not released the name of the officer who killed Durán Guerrero, while ICE spokesperson Lauren Bis said the officer has nearly a decade of federal law enforcement experience with required training including use of force training.
The Hill said Collins urged DHS to cease all non-urgent vehicle stops, while Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra reported that Ashley Brouillette told AP she did not understand how he kept getting jobs where firearms were involved, saying, "I don’t understand how he keeps getting these jobs where there are firearms involved."
Noovo Info reported that Trump wrote that ICE "is doing EXCELLENT work, a job that must be done," and said ICE should continue roadside checks, adding, "ROADCHECKS!" and warning that stopping them would mean "we are playing the criminals' game."
