A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a 26-year-old Colombian national during a vehicle stop in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday. According to officials, the agents involved were not wearing body cameras and the individual killed was not the specific target of their investigation. This incident marks the second fatal shooting involving ICE personnel in one week and the ninth since the current administration began increased immigration enforcement operations.
Maine Democrats have utilized the incident to criticize Republican Senator Susan Collins, citing her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Democratic Senate candidate Nirav Shah accused Collins of failing to provide adequate oversight of ICE's budget and called for the agency to be abolished. These criticisms come as the Maine Democratic Party seeks a replacement for former Senate nominee Graham Platner, who withdrew from the race last week following sexual assault allegations.
Senator Collins issued a statement Tuesday confirming she spoke with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mullin regarding the shooting. Collins stated she urged the department to suspend all non-urgent vehicle stops while the investigation continues. While her campaign did not directly address comments from Democratic challengers, Collins' office noted that she is seeking answers regarding the circumstances of the Biddeford incident. In Portland and Scarborough, several hundred people gathered for vigils and protests to demonstrate against the use of force.