ICE Shoots and Kills Colombian Man in Maine: What We Know
You are driving to work on a Monday morning when federal agents ram your car, surround it with guns drawn, and open fire. That is what witnesses say happened to Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, 26, in Biddeford, Maine on July 13, 2026. He died from his injuries — and his family says he had a Social Security number and was legally allowed to work in the United States.
Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was married, had a young child, and — according to immigrant rights activists — held valid work authorization in the US. On the morning of July 13, 2026, ICE agents conducting surveillance in Biddeford, Maine, attempted to stop his vehicle. Witnesses told the Portland Press Herald and the Bangor Daily News that agents rammed his sedan, surrounded it with guns drawn, and demanded he exit. When he tried to drive away, at least one agent fired. His daughter was still in pajamas watching Bluey when it happened.
What ICE said — and what it left out
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement describing Durán Guerrero as "a Colombian national" and saying agents were conducting "targeted surveillance" on an address linked to "an illegal alien with a final order of removal." The statement did not say Durán Guerrero was that person. Senator Angus King's office later confirmed that DHS told the senator directly: Durán Guerrero was not the subject of the warrant. ICE's own inspector general — an internal watchdog — has opened an investigation because the incident involved a firearm discharge. By Tuesday, July 14, DHS had reportedly ordered ICE agents to pause most vehicle stops while the situation is reviewed, according to a DHS source.
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Colombia's embassy in Washington said it "deeply regrets" the death and has formally asked DHS for information about the circumstances. Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the killing an "assassination" on X, saying Durán Guerrero "was a citizen with rights in the US" and calling on Colombian diplomatic services to pursue legal action. Durán Guerrero is the 11th person fatally shot by federal immigration officials since President Trump began his second term in early 2025 — and the fifth killed by ICE during a vehicle encounter. Just one week earlier, on July 7, ICE agents in Houston fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican man, while searching for a different person.
What to do if ICE tries to stop your vehicle
- Do not flee — witnesses and attorneys consistently say that attempting to drive away escalates the danger. Pull over safely and stay calm.
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. Say clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
- Ask if you are free to go. If agents say no, ask to speak with an immigration lawyer immediately. Do not sign any documents without legal counsel.
- After any ICE encounter, contact an immigration attorney as soon as possible — even if you were released. Document everything: time, location, what was said, badge numbers if visible.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
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If ICE stops your vehicle, you are not required to answer questions about your immigration status, and you should not sign anything without an attorney present. If agents claim to have a warrant, ask to see it — a judicial warrant signed by a judge is very different from an administrative ICE warrant, which does not authorize forced entry or compel cooperation in the same way. Cases like this one underscore why anyone in removal proceedings or with an unresolved immigration case should have an attorney's emergency number saved in their phone before any encounter occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE legally stop and search my car?
ICE agents can conduct vehicle stops, but the legal authority depends on the circumstances. A judicial warrant signed by a federal judge gives broader powers than an administrative ICE warrant. You have the right to ask what authority they are acting under and to remain silent. Do not physically resist, but you can clearly state that you do not consent to a search.
What happens if ICE is looking for someone else but stops me?
This is exactly what witnesses and Senator King's office say happened in the Maine case. If you are not the person named in a warrant, you still have the right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time does not remove your rights. Document everything and contact an attorney immediately after the encounter.
Does having a work permit (EAD) protect me from ICE stops?
Having a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit shows you have legal status to work, but it does not automatically prevent ICE from stopping or questioning you. Carry your documents, but know that you still have the right to remain silent and request an attorney.
What should I do if a family member is shot or killed by ICE?
Contact an immigration attorney and a civil rights attorney immediately. The DHS Office of Inspector General investigates cases involving firearms discharge by ICE agents. You can also contact your US senator's or representative's office — as Senator Angus King's office did in this case — to request information from DHS. Colombia's embassy in Washington also formally requested clarification, showing that consular assistance is an option for foreign nationals.