Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents fatally shot Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian man, in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday, July 13, 2026, after a vehicle stop turned deadly. The incident has prompted ICE to temporarily halt most vehicle stops, according to a source at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Details of the Shooting
According to an ICE spokesperson, agents were conducting targeted surveillance on the last known address of an individual with a final order of removal. When a vehicle departed the residence, agents attempted a stop. The driver fled, and an officer discharged his weapon, striking Duran Guerrero. Emergency services were called, but he died from his injuries.
Witnesses reported that agents rammed Duran Guerrero's sedan, surrounded it with guns drawn, and demanded he exit. When he tried to flee, at least one agent opened fire. Another witness said Duran Guerrero was speaking when agents pulled his body from the car, uttering, “I tried to stop.”
Victim's Background and Status
Immigrant rights activists stated Duran Guerrero was married with a young child, had a Social Security number, and was authorized to work in the U.S. DHS referred to him as “a Colombian national” but did not clarify his immigration status. Senator Angus King's office said DHS informed them Duran Guerrero was not the subject of the warrant mentioned in the statement.
Aftermath and Investigation
Local police and the FBI responded to the scene. DHS's Office of Inspector General will investigate due to the firearm discharge. Colombia's U.S. embassy expressed deep regret and requested information from DHS. By Tuesday, ICE ordered agents to stop most vehicle stops temporarily, marking a significant policy shift.
Context and Protests
Duran Guerrero is the 11th person fatally shot by federal immigration officials since President Trump's second term began in early 2025, and the fifth killed by ICE while driving. His death follows the July 7 killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. Both incidents sparked protests reminiscent of those after the January shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
