Who was Joan Durán, the Colombian killed by ICE?

Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was only 26 years old when he died. The Colombian was shot on Monday by an ICE agent. The incident occurred in Biddeford, a quiet city in southern Maine. Neighbors who knew him describe him with similar words. They assure that he was a “good man” and deeply hardworking. Like many immigrants, he had left Colombia seeking a better life. The young man lived with his wife and his three-year-old daughter. He worked as a delivery driver in the city where he had built his home. He had legal work authorization and a Social Security number.

Source: Noticias Caracol | Youtube

An ordinary morning that ended in tragedy

Around 7 a.m. on Monday, Durán Guerrero left for work. Minutes later, a shootout with law enforcement ended his life. The exact circumstances of the incident are still unclear. Nelson Elias, the young man’s neighbor since 2024, recounted what he heard that morning. The shouts of agents demanding he stop his car jolted him awake. Shortly after, he heard approximately six consecutive gunshots. When Elias went down to the street, he found his neighbor lying on the ground. With him were his wife and his little daughter, crying inconsolably. “We only ask for justice for his family,” the visibly affected neighbor expressed.

A young worker from Bucaramanga

Joan Sebastián was originally from Bucaramanga, a city located in central Colombia. He had emigrated to the United States seeking a better future for his family. This was confirmed by his father in statements to Colombian local media. In addition to being a delivery driver, the young man worked at a local veterinary clinic. His father insisted that he had all the necessary legal permits. The Colombian family has already initiated proceedings to repatriate his body. Carlos, a close friend and neighbor in the same building, firmly defended his memory. He described him as “an excellent person, a good father, good husband.” He categorically rejected versions that suggested criminal history or a deportation order.

The official version raises more questions than answers

The Department of Homeland Security offered a brief explanation of what happened. It asserted that the agent fired “fearing for public safety” during the immigration operation. However, it did not detail why it considered the young man to be a risk. The authorities confirmed a particularly revealing detail about the case. Durán Guerrero was not the original target of the immigration operation. This information came from the office of Maine Senator Angus King. Isabel Paredes, another neighbor in the community, described the young man’s family environment. “It was a very quiet family,” she said with her voice visibly breaking. She assured that the family is now scared and avoids speaking with strangers.

A pattern that repeats across different states

Durán Guerrero’s case came just days after another similar incident. In Houston, Texas, ICE agents killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo under similar circumstances. Both cases reignited strong criticism of current immigration control tactics. Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas harshly questioned the current immigration control system. “These are not isolated incidents,” she stated in an official statement. She warned that they reflect lack of transparency and accountability. González-Rojas insisted that no one should fear an encounter with federal agents. She considered it unacceptable that these encounters could end in preventable tragedies. Her statement added to a growing chorus of similar complaints.

The Biddeford community demands answers

Durán Guerrero’s neighbors organized a floral tribute at the site of his death. They left signs with forceful messages directed at immigration authorities. “ICE, out of our neighborhoods,” said one of the displayed messages. Another sign recalled that “Biddeford was built by immigrants” throughout its history. A third directly questioned those who defend these immigration operations. “How would you feel if your son lost his father?” the message asked. The Colombian Government formally demanded a complete investigation into the case. It requested that the Department of Homeland Security provide “exhaustive and immediate” clarifications about what happened. The Colombian embassy in Washington maintains direct contact with the affected family.

Petro describes the death as murder

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro strongly condemned what happened on Tuesday. He characterized the young man’s death as “murder” without qualification. He expressed his expectation that the Colombian foreign service would act swiftly. Petro noted that he would seek legal action so those responsible face justice. He argued that his compatriot had full rights as a human being and legal resident. He also expressed that he expected a direct statement from President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the Biddeford community continues processing the pain of the loss. The family of Durán Guerrero now faces the difficult