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Maine Police Investigate Fatal ICE Shooting in Biddeford
A gunshot rang out at the corner of Pool Street and Hill Street in Biddeford, Maine, just before 8 a.m. on Monday, and a man was killed in the ensuing confrontation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The incident has set off a coordinated inquiry involving state and federal authorities.
Witnesses heard several shots and reported seeing a white sedan in the immediate vicinity. The Biddeford Police Department confirmed that ICE personnel were on the scene and that the intersection was closed to traffic shortly after the exchange. The Maine State Police, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and federal officials are now working together to reconstruct the events.
Governor Janet Mills said she had been briefed on the fatal shooting and that state authorities were cooperating with federal investigators. "I know that situations like these are alarming and frightening," she told reporters. "The Maine State Police are at the scene supporting and working cooperatively with the Attorney General’s Office, Maine’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner, and federal officials to determine the facts of what occurred this morning."
Senator Angus King, speaking to the press, relayed information from the Department of Homeland Security. He said the victim was a man in his 20s who had been given an order to leave the country. King added that DHS had told him the subject "weaponized the vehicle" and that the person was shot by an ICE agent.
The Maine Attorney General’s Office released a statement in the afternoon confirming that it was investigating the use of force. "Initial statements indicate an Enforcement Removal Operations Officer was conducting an enforcement operation related to a final order of removal when the subject attempted to flee in a vehicle in the direction of the officer and was fatally shot," the office said.
The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition identified the victim as a 26‑year‑old man from Colombia. Executive director Mufalo Chitam told CNN that the man was on his way to work, was authorized to work in the United States, and had a social‑security number. Federal officials have not confirmed any of those details.
The vehicle involved was registered to Jonathan Ramires of Pool Street. ABC News reported that a witness saw the person who was shot fixing his brakes in a parking lot at that address, but it is not clear whether Ramires was the victim.
The Colombian Embassy issued a statement saying it was in contact with U.S. authorities and community organizations to confirm the individual’s identity and nationality and to determine appropriate procedures.
Video evidence from a doorbell camera captured the sound of at least four gunshots, and footage from a nearby street showed first responders treating a person on the street next to a white sedan. People wearing U.S. Border Patrol vests were visible nearby. No body‑camera footage was available, and Senator King said he did not believe any of the agents were wearing body cameras at the time.
Biddeford Police Chief JoAnn Fisk said the department was not conducting the investigation and that all information would come from the FBI and the Attorney General’s Office. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have not responded to requests for comment.
Community reaction has been swift. Protesters gathered in Mechanics Park and on nearby streets, expressing grief and demanding accountability. The Biddeford Saco for Racial Justice group announced a protest against ICE at noon, and the group had already drawn a crowd by 10:30 a.m. The Maine House Speaker, Ryan Fecteau, said a person had been killed, ICE was involved, and that state police and the Department of Public Safety were on the scene.
Political figures have also weighed in. Senate candidate Troy Jackson posted that he was monitoring the situation and would speak at a rally in Mechanics Park. Project Relief, an immigrant‑rights advocacy group, released a statement expressing sorrow over the loss of a community member and pledged support to the family.
At this time, the victim’s identity, age, and circumstances remain partially confirmed. The investigation is ongoing, and no definitive timeline for additional statements has been released. The Maine Attorney General’s Office said information would be released when appropriate.
The incident has highlighted the presence of ICE operations in Maine, a state that has seen increased federal enforcement activity in recent years. The federal agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations component is responsible for the arrest, detention, and removal of individuals subject to removal orders.
As the investigation continues, residents and officials in Biddeford and across Maine await further details from state and federal authorities. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
Witnesses heard several shots and reported seeing a white sedan in the immediate vicinity. The Biddeford Police Department confirmed that ICE personnel were on the scene and that the intersection was closed to traffic shortly after the exchange. The Maine State Police, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and federal officials are now working together to reconstruct the events.
Governor Janet Mills said she had been briefed on the fatal shooting and that state authorities were cooperating with federal investigators. "I know that situations like these are alarming and frightening," she told reporters. "The Maine State Police are at the scene supporting and working cooperatively with the Attorney General’s Office, Maine’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner, and federal officials to determine the facts of what occurred this morning."
Senator Angus King, speaking to the press, relayed information from the Department of Homeland Security. He said the victim was a man in his 20s who had been given an order to leave the country. King added that DHS had told him the subject "weaponized the vehicle" and that the person was shot by an ICE agent.
The Maine Attorney General’s Office released a statement in the afternoon confirming that it was investigating the use of force. "Initial statements indicate an Enforcement Removal Operations Officer was conducting an enforcement operation related to a final order of removal when the subject attempted to flee in a vehicle in the direction of the officer and was fatally shot," the office said.
The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition identified the victim as a 26‑year‑old man from Colombia. Executive director Mufalo Chitam told CNN that the man was on his way to work, was authorized to work in the United States, and had a social‑security number. Federal officials have not confirmed any of those details.
The vehicle involved was registered to Jonathan Ramires of Pool Street. ABC News reported that a witness saw the person who was shot fixing his brakes in a parking lot at that address, but it is not clear whether Ramires was the victim.
The Colombian Embassy issued a statement saying it was in contact with U.S. authorities and community organizations to confirm the individual’s identity and nationality and to determine appropriate procedures.
Video evidence from a doorbell camera captured the sound of at least four gunshots, and footage from a nearby street showed first responders treating a person on the street next to a white sedan. People wearing U.S. Border Patrol vests were visible nearby. No body‑camera footage was available, and Senator King said he did not believe any of the agents were wearing body cameras at the time.
Biddeford Police Chief JoAnn Fisk said the department was not conducting the investigation and that all information would come from the FBI and the Attorney General’s Office. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have not responded to requests for comment.
Community reaction has been swift. Protesters gathered in Mechanics Park and on nearby streets, expressing grief and demanding accountability. The Biddeford Saco for Racial Justice group announced a protest against ICE at noon, and the group had already drawn a crowd by 10:30 a.m. The Maine House Speaker, Ryan Fecteau, said a person had been killed, ICE was involved, and that state police and the Department of Public Safety were on the scene.
Political figures have also weighed in. Senate candidate Troy Jackson posted that he was monitoring the situation and would speak at a rally in Mechanics Park. Project Relief, an immigrant‑rights advocacy group, released a statement expressing sorrow over the loss of a community member and pledged support to the family.
At this time, the victim’s identity, age, and circumstances remain partially confirmed. The investigation is ongoing, and no definitive timeline for additional statements has been released. The Maine Attorney General’s Office said information would be released when appropriate.
The incident has highlighted the presence of ICE operations in Maine, a state that has seen increased federal enforcement activity in recent years. The federal agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations component is responsible for the arrest, detention, and removal of individuals subject to removal orders.
As the investigation continues, residents and officials in Biddeford and across Maine await further details from state and federal authorities. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
