ICE officer in Maine shooting had history of violence, records show

The ICE officer who fatally shot Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine, on July 13 has a documented history of violent behavior, cognitive deficits from a head injury, and allegations of domestic abuse, raising questions about the agency's vetting. The officer, identified by multiple outlets as David Brouillette, told his ex-wives and daughter he was the shooter Source: AP, CNN.

The shooting and its context

Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian father, was shot during a traffic stop. ICE said the officer acted fearing for public safety, but witnesses reported the victim was handcuffed after being shot Source: El País. The killing came days after an ICE shooting in Texas and was the fourth fatal encounter by immigration agents this year Source: CNN.

Brouillette's background

• Head injury: Brouillette suffered a severe head injury in 2021 from a steel beam, leaving him with cognitive deficits and memory impairment, according to a lawsuit he filed Source: CNN.
• Domestic violence: Both ex-wives accused him of abuse, with one alleging he pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her Source: NPR. A voicemail obtained by NPR captured him telling his ex-wife her throat should be cut.
• Mental health: Relatives said he struggled with serious mental health issues since childhood Source: AP.

Political fallout

Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Bennie Thompson, called for investigations into ICE hiring practices, arguing the agency rushed to hire 12,000 agents without proper vetting Source: The Guardian, Al Jazeera. In response to the shootings, ICE suspended non-urgent vehicle stops, but President Trump contradicted that policy, urging the agency to continue traffic stops Source: Euronews. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the killing as murder Source: Euronews.