A 25-year-old Colombian man named Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on Monday morning while driving in Biddeford. Authorities have released little information about the incident.
As of July 16, no video footage had emerged showing the shooting itself, but the sound of gunshots can be heard on neighbors’ Ring cameras and video footage shows the man’s body later being pulled from his car. The officers were not wearing body cameras.
Here is a timeline of what happened that morning based on witness testimony, surveillance footage, police logs and official statements.
July 13 — approx. 7:00 a.m.
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, ICE was surveilling the last known address of a person with a final order of removal around 7 a.m. U.S. Sen. Angus King later said he was told by the department that Durán Guerrero was not the intended target of their search.
July 13 — approx. 7:17 a.m.
Around 7:17 a.m., residents who lived near the intersection of Pool and Hill streets in Biddeford heard the sound of gunshots. A Ring camera in a nearby apartment building captured the sound of five gunshots, according to footage shared with the Bangor Daily News. It was later reported that there were four bullet holes in the car.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that “the vehicle attempted to flee the scene and, fearing for public safety, an officer discharged his weapon.” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullen later told King that the driver had “weaponized his vehicle toward law enforcement.” No evidence has yet emerged to back up this claim.
July 13 — approx. 7:18 a.m.
Surveillance footage obtained by the Associated Press captured a white Kia at the intersection of Pool and Hill streets. The car circles slowly in the middle of the intersection. Two officers chase the car on foot for about a minute; one agent attempts to open the car door but is unable to do so.
The Biddeford Police Department reported in their dispatch log that they received a 9-1-1 call at 7:18 a.m. for “weapons” on Hill Street.
July 13 — approx. 7:19 a.m.
A white SUV comes into view in the surveillance footage and hits the passenger side of the Kia. Three agents then surround the car. Footage published by the New York Times shows one agent appears to have a gun drawn.
The agents open the driver’s door, pulling a man out of the car and laying him on the ground. Video footage published by the Bangor Daily News shows agents handcuffing the man’s body, which appears limp.
Biddeford resident Daniel Boucher, who witnessed the incident from a third-floor window overlooking the street, told the Associated Press that he could see that the man’s face was covered in blood as he was removed from the car. Boucher reported that as the man was being pulled from the vehicle he told agents “I tried to stop.”
July 13 — approx. 7:22 a.m
At 7:22 a.m., the Biddeford Police Department dispatch log notes a call for a “non-emergency” vehicle crash at the intersection of Pool and Hill streets. The call was for “police only.”
Video footage published by CNN shows four officers surrounding the body on the pavement. There is a bag of what appears to be medical equipment. One officer can be seen putting on rubber gloves while another appears to be grabbing a plastic bag before crouching down next to the man’s body. Two others appear to be applying bandages to the man’s body. Another officer can be seen in the video but moves out of the frame.
Ring camera footage published by the Portland Press Herald shows that local police were on scene at 7:22 a.m. Biddeford Police later said they were only responsible for helping to secure the area.
A tent was eventually erected over the body and additional law enforcement officers arrived on the scene. A neighbor who heard the gunshots and later looked out his window and saw the man’s body on the ground told The Maine Monitor he saw at least 30 law enforcement officers arrive throughout the morning before leaving in the early afternoon.
He estimated that the body remained on the pavement for four to five hours. A spokesperson for the Maine State Police did not confirm how long the body was on the ground.
The story was updated July 21 to correct the age of Johan; he was 25.
