DHS Probes Fatal ICE Shooting of Mistaken Migrant Target in Maine
Federal investigators have launched a probe after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a Colombian national during a botched enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine.
The incident occurs just one week after another fatal ICE shooting during a traffic stop in Texas, triggering intense public backlash and protests in the local community.
The shooting took place around 07:00 EDT on Monday while agents from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations department were conducting surveillance at a residence to apprehend an individual facing a final order of removal.
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According to an official ICE statement, agents attempted to stop a vehicle leaving the address, claiming the driver tried to flee and an officer discharged their weapon out of fear for public safety.
Maine’s Attorney General Aaron Frey added that initial findings indicate the driver attempted to flee in the direction of the officer before being shot. The agent involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
However, a critical error in the operation emerged hours later. Maine Senator Angus King revealed that while Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin initially informed him that the deceased was the target of an arrest warrant, Mullin later called back to correct the record, admitting the man was not the individual agents were looking for.
The identity of the victim is being withheld until formal identification and family notifications are complete.
The revelation that an innocent bystander was killed drew sharp condemnation from state leaders. Maine Governor Janet Mills stated that the death of a man the government was not even looking for “makes this tragedy even more disturbing and infuriating.”
The DHS Inspector General’s office has assumed control of the investigation into the wrongful shooting.
BY BALOGUN FAVOUR
