The daughter’s car seat of a Colombian man killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Maine is not being returned. It was revealed that a bullet from the agent struck the seat during the incident.
The details emerged at a House Oversight Committee hearing. The hearing focused on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents’ fatal shootings during the Trump administration, including the shooting of Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine.
Attorney Sean P. Murphy, representing Guerrero’s family, mentioned that the family wanted evidence from the shooting scene returned. The car seat belonging to Guerrero’s daughter, Dulce, was not returned. Guerrero’s wife, Carolina, questioned the Maine Attorney General’s Office on this. Murphy stated that a bullet had pierced the seat. He added that initial reports falsely said Dulce was in the car during the shooting.
Neither DHS, the Maine Attorney General’s Office, nor Murphy’s office offered comments. The Maine Attorney General is investigating ICE’s use of deadly force, following the incident involving another immigrant, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, in Houston.
Murphy addressed the group at the hearing, saying they were part of an unfortunate group affected by federal agent shootings.
Biddeford ICE Shooting: Details
Guerrero, who was legally authorized to work in the U.S., was fatally shot by an ICE officer while driving from his home. He was not the primary target during enforcement operations. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and agents shouting. Guerrero attempted to stop but was pulled from his vehicle and died despite medical efforts by officers. Unlike other cases, ICE didn’t assert he weaponized his vehicle; they said he was fleeing.
Investigation by the Maine Attorney General
Maine’s Attorney General Aaron M. Frey launched an inquiry into the shooting. As per state law, Frey’s office holds exclusive authority to probe homicides and federal agents’ deadly force usage. An update released on August 17 stated that relevant evidence was being evaluated to determine possible legal actions. According to Murphy, similar investigations are not being conducted nationwide.
In Minnesota, authorities are pursuing a case related to a federal agent’s non-fatal shooting during operations in January. This took place between the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.
Emotional Testimonies from Families
The committee also heard from relatives of others killed by ICE agents. Rachel Reyes spoke about her son’s death in South Padre Island, noting ICE’s role became clear only recently. She criticized DHS’s claim that her son weaponized his vehicle. Her son’s death occurred during a regular outing with his friend.
Donna Ganger expressed her sympathy to other families, hoping for the right action by the U.S. on behalf of loved ones. Good was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during enforcement operations because she appeared to turn her car from federal agents. Her death led to protests nationwide.
Pretti was killed by a Customs and Border Protection officer during protests, while attending to a civilian. His friend described the scene to the committee. Salgado Araujo’s sons shared their struggle since his Houston death.
Criticism against the Trump administration was voiced by Representatives Robert Garcia and Senator Richard Blumenthal. Both stressed the importance of holding responsible parties, including agents, accountable.
Newsweek used its AI assistant, Martyn, to compile this story. For more details, contact Newsweek editors.