Person killed in shooting involving ICE in Biddeford, Maine
You’re watching Channel 8. Maine’s total coverage starts with breaking news. That breaking news, *** deadly shooting in Biddeford involving federal agents. Good afternoon. I’m Megan Torgeson. We do have live team coverage of what’s still an active scene and investigation. Terry Stackhouse is near the scene at the intersection of Poole Street and Hill Street. Jamie Aguila is at *** media staging area where we may be hearing from officials soon. And Nora Hogan is at *** nearby protest where Senate candidate Troy Jackson is expected to speak. We have learned that the governor has been briefed on this situation in *** statement released moments ago. The governor saying Maine State Police, the AG’s office, and federal officials are working together on that scene. Witnesses telling us earlier that they heard gunshots. We’re gonna go live now to Terry Stackhouse, who was at that scene. Uh, Terry, what can you tell us? Hey Megan, good afternoon. Right now we are looking at the scene here where investigators, they’re attending to some of those evidence markers that are on the ground here. Within the last few minutes we’ve actually been speaking with some people who were in the area as they heard those gunshots, even the 7 a.m. hour. We’re learning more as we’re seeing members of Maine State Police along with the FBI canvassing this area. They’ve been speaking with residents locally in real time, and one of the women who we. Just talked to, she says that she heard roughly 4 or 5 gunshots earlier this morning as she was enjoying her morning coffee. She came out to see what was going on and at that moment she saw *** white vehicle that looked like it had lost control. It was circling in the intersection here, being corralled by two men that appeared to be from law enforcement. Then eventually that car came to arrest and EMS arrived on the scene. At the same time I’m speaking with another woman, *** local mother. Shared some audio with me which we’re going to try to bring you *** little bit later on today. You can hear the gunshots in that video. She’s speaking with her young son. For both of those people who we are just now talking to, you can tell that this has really rattled them, and as they are trying to learn more about the situation here, so are we, as we’re seeing members of the FBI along with Maine State Police at the scene here and also Biddeford police who are directing traffic. And try to control the situation. Megan, we’ll bring you updates as soon as we can learn more, but for now we’ll send things back into you. All right, Terry, thank you. And again, as you were mentioning, still *** lot of questions at this hour. We are working to get more details for you. Our team coverage continues with Jamie Ajo, who is live near Saint James School. That is where we’re told officials may be providing some updates. Jamie, is there anything that we know right now? Megan, we have not heard from officials here at all this morning. Law enforcement told the media to gather here on Birch Street around 10 o’clock this morning, but there has been no word yet except for *** notice from the city of Biddeford only to say that they will not be commenting on the matter. In that statement, they confirmed that ICE was involved in this. Fatal shooting and say that all inquiries should be directed to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement from this point forward, but no further information will come from the Biddeford Police Department. We have not heard from ICE yet about if or when they will speak to the media today or if there is any timeline that we can expect to hear from them. But we do know there are still *** lot of unanswered questions about what happened this morning, who the victim is, and what their investigation will look like moving forward. For now, reporting live in Biddeford, I’m Jamie Ajo, Maine’s total coverage. All right, Jamie, thank you. And in the wake of this deadly shooting, community members taking to the streets to protest against ICE, Nora Hogan is live with that part of the story in Mechanics Park. And Nora, what are people saying? What are you hearing from the community? Well, Megan, dozens of people are starting to fill the park, lining the streets. We’re hearing lots of honks from people driving by. I’ll step out of the way so you can get *** closer look at the scene, and what we’re hearing is that these protesters are devastated. They say they’re proud of how diverse their community in Biddeford is. They love their immigrant friends and neighbors, and this is hitting close to home. You know, we all need *** home. We all want food on the table. We all want to raise our kids in *** safe environment. This is not happening anymore because of what’s going on in our country. And at this time, as Jamie mentioned, we don’t yet know about the person who was killed. We’re still trying to find out how old they are, were, where they’re from, and what they were like as *** person. And as for right now, community groups, we’re hearing from groups that support immigrants, they want that information too. They’re calling for *** full investigation. To what happened here today, saying this is specifically from Community Organizing Alliance, they wrote, Every loss of life deserves accountability, transparency, and justice. So those are some of the answers that we are searching for today. For now, lived in Biddeford, I’m Nora Hogan for Maine’s total coverage. Back to you, Megan.
Person killed in shooting involving ICE in Biddeford, Maine
The Biddeford Police Department has confirmed there was an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel at the intersection of Pool Street and Hill Street on Monday morning.Just before noon, Gov. Janet Mills confirmed a person was dead as a result of the shooting. “I know that situations like these are alarming and frightening,” she said. “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.”At noon, Sen. Angus King said he was told by Homeland Security that the person who was killed was a man in his 20’s who had been given an order to leave the country. He also said DHS told him that the person “weaponized the vehicle” and that they were shot by an ICE agent.The Maine Attorney General’s Office confirmed Monday afternoon that they were investigating the deadly 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 in a statement.The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition identified the victim as a 26-year-old man from Colombia. Mufalo Chitam, the group’s executive director, told CNN that the man was on his way to work. The group said the man was authorized to work in the US and was issued a social security number.Federal officials have not confirmed any of those details about the victim.The vehicle was registered to a Jhonathan Ramires of Pool Street in Biddeford. ABC News spoke with someone who said they saw the person who was shot fixing his brakes in the parking lot at that address.It is not clear if Ramires was the person who was shot. The Colombian Embassy shared a statement on Monday afternoon.”The Embassy of Colombia in the United States, through its Consular Section, is in contact with the relevant U.S. authorities and with representatives of community organisations assisting in the case. Consular officials are working to formally confirm the individual’s identity and nationality and to determine the appropriate procedures in accordance with applicable legal and consular protocols.” The area was closed Monday morning after the shooting at about 8: a.m. Police confirmed the closure to Maine’s Total Coverage at 8:15 a.m.A Maine’s Total Coverage crew saw Maine State Police and the FBI at the scene along with the Biddeford Police Crime Scene Unit.Numerous crime scene markers could also be seen on the pavement in the road as well as two large canopies in the roadway.Video from a nearby doorbell camera that was shared with CNN captures the sound of what appears to be at least four gunshots.Video obtained by ABC News and shared with Maine’s Total Coverage showed first responders giving medical aid to a person who was on their back in the street in the middle of the intersection next to a white sedan. People wearing U.S. Border Patrol vests can be seen standing next to them.The video also showed a law enforcement vehicle in contact with the passenger side of the white sedan. Maine’s Total Coverage has chosen to freeze that video before the body is visible.King said he did not believe any of the agents involved were wearing body cameras at the time.”Different facts may come out, but apparently there are no cameras involved. Body cameras were not on the agents, and, so we have no video, evidence of what occurred in this case,” he said.Biddeford Police Chief JoAnn Fisk told Maine’s Total Coverage that this was not her department’s investigation and that her department was only investigating. She said all information will come from the FBI and Office of the Attorney General.The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have not responded to multiple requests for comment from ABC News or Maine’s Total Coverage. The Maine Attorney General’s Office said information would be released when appropriate.Statement from Maine House Speaker Ryan FecteauRyan Fecteau, who is the Maine Speaker of the House, shared on Monday morning that a shooting had happened.”A person was killed. ICE was involved. State Police and the Department of Public Safety are now on scene to gather details and would expect the FBI to investigate as well. These are the details that I have at this time. I will provide further updates, as they are relayed to me.”A neighbor told Maine’s Total Coverage that she was awoken at about 8 a.m. by the sound of gunshots and then noticed a lot of law enforcement. It was not clear how ICE may have been involved, who may have been shot or who actually fired shots.Reaction to the shootingTroy Jackson, who is running for U.S. Senate, posted “I’ve been alerted to the fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford this morning. Our team is monitoring this situation very closely and will provided updates as we learn more. My heart is with Biddeford – and with all Mainers.” He also said he would be speaking at a rally at noon in Mechanics Park in Biddeford.Project Relief, an immigrant rights advocacy group, shared a statement Monday morning.”We are heartbroken to share that one of our community members was killed this morning during an encounter with ICE in Biddeford. We are in contact with the family and are committed to supporting them during this unimaginable time. This was a young person whose life was cut short, and our community must come together to stand with their loved ones and ensure they are not alone. They must get justice. We will continue to share updates as we learn more, along with ways you can show your solidarity and support the family and the community.”It was not immediately clear how old the person reportedly killed was.The group Biddeford Saco for Racial Justice said they planned to hold a protest against ICE at noon on Monday in Mechanics Park in Biddeford. As of 10:30 a.m., Maine’s Total Coverage reported already seeing anti-ICE protestors on the streets in Biddeford.This is a breaking story that will be updated.
BIDDEFORD, Maine —
The Biddeford Police Department has confirmed there was an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel at the intersection of Pool Street and Hill Street on Monday morning.
Just before noon, Gov. Janet Mills confirmed a person was dead as a result of the shooting. “I know that situations like these are alarming and frightening,” she said. “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.”
At noon, Sen. Angus King said he was told by Homeland Security that the person who was killed was a man in his 20’s who had been given an order to leave the country. He also said DHS told him that the person “weaponized the vehicle” and that they were shot by an ICE agent.
The Maine Attorney General’s Office confirmed Monday afternoon that they were investigating the deadly 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 in a statement.
The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition identified the victim as a 26-year-old man from Colombia. Mufalo Chitam, the group’s executive director, told CNN that the man was on his way to work. The group said the man was authorized to work in the US and was issued a social security number.
Federal officials have not confirmed any of those details about the victim.
The vehicle was registered to a Jhonathan Ramires of Pool Street in Biddeford. ABC News spoke with someone who said they saw the person who was shot fixing his brakes in the parking lot at that address.
It is not clear if Ramires was the person who was shot.
The Colombian Embassy shared a statement on Monday afternoon.
“The Embassy of Colombia in the United States, through its Consular Section, is in contact with the relevant U.S. authorities and with representatives of community organisations [sic] assisting in the case. Consular officials are working to formally confirm the individual’s identity and nationality and to determine the appropriate procedures in accordance with applicable legal and consular protocols.”
The area was closed Monday morning after the shooting at about 8: a.m. Police confirmed the closure to Maine’s Total Coverage at 8:15 a.m.
A Maine’s Total Coverage crew saw Maine State Police and the FBI at the scene along with the Biddeford Police Crime Scene Unit.
Numerous crime scene markers could also be seen on the pavement in the road as well as two large canopies in the roadway.
Video from a nearby doorbell camera that was shared with CNN captures the sound of what appears to be at least four gunshots.
Video obtained by ABC News and shared with Maine’s Total Coverage showed first responders giving medical aid to a person who was on their back in the street in the middle of the intersection next to a white sedan. People wearing U.S. Border Patrol vests can be seen standing next to them.
The video also showed a law enforcement vehicle in contact with the passenger side of the white sedan. Maine’s Total Coverage has chosen to freeze that video before the body is visible.
King said he did not believe any of the agents involved were wearing body cameras at the time.
“Different facts may come out, but apparently there are no cameras involved. Body cameras were not on the agents, and, so we have no video, evidence of what occurred in this case,” he said.
Biddeford Police Chief JoAnn Fisk told Maine’s Total Coverage that this was not her department’s investigation and that her department was only investigating. She said all information will come from the FBI and Office of the Attorney General.
The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have not responded to multiple requests for comment from ABC News or Maine’s Total Coverage. The Maine Attorney General’s Office said information would be released when appropriate.
Statement from Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau
Ryan Fecteau, who is the Maine Speaker of the House, shared on Monday morning that a shooting had happened.
“A person was killed. ICE was involved. State Police and the Department of Public Safety are now on scene to gather details and would expect the FBI to investigate as well. These are the details that I have at this time. I will provide further updates, as they are relayed to me.”
A neighbor told Maine’s Total Coverage that she was awoken at about 8 a.m. by the sound of gunshots and then noticed a lot of law enforcement.
It was not clear how ICE may have been involved, who may have been shot or who actually fired shots.
Reaction to the shooting
Troy Jackson, who is running for U.S. Senate, posted “I’ve been alerted to the fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford this morning. Our team is monitoring this situation very closely and will provided updates as we learn more. My heart is with Biddeford – and with all Mainers.” He also said he would be speaking at a rally at noon in Mechanics Park in Biddeford.
Project Relief, an immigrant rights advocacy group, shared a statement Monday morning.
“We are heartbroken to share that one of our community members was killed this morning during an encounter with ICE in Biddeford. We are in contact with the family and are committed to supporting them during this unimaginable time. This was a young person whose life was cut short, and our community must come together to stand with their loved ones and ensure they are not alone. They must get justice. We will continue to share updates as we learn more, along with ways you can show your solidarity and support the family and the community.”
It was not immediately clear how old the person reportedly killed was.
The group Biddeford Saco for Racial Justice said they planned to hold a protest against ICE at noon on Monday in Mechanics Park in Biddeford. As of 10:30 a.m., Maine’s Total Coverage reported already seeing anti-ICE protestors on the streets in Biddeford.
This is a breaking story that will be updated.
