AP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say

An ICE officer responsible for the recent fatal shooting of a Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine, possesses a history of violent behavior and significant mental health struggles, according to interviews and court records. Relatives of the officer, David Brouillette, stated he faced long-term psychiatric issues and displayed aggressive conduct toward women in his life. Records describe past allegations of domestic abuse, including incidents of physical violence.

Family members told investigators that Brouillette’s past should have disqualified him from service. Despite his documented struggles, he was hired during a period when the Department of Homeland Security accelerated hiring efforts to support federal immigration enforcement policies. The agency has not publicly confirmed the identity of the officer involved in the shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero.

Durán Guerrero, 25, was killed while inside his vehicle near his home. Reports indicate the incident occurred during an immigration stop. Brouillette’s family members noted he acknowledged his role in the death during conversations following the incident, claiming he acted in self-defense. However, this internal family testimony raises urgent questions regarding the screening process for federal agents tasked with high-stakes field operations.

Legislators are now demanding oversight and clarification from the Department of Homeland Security. This incident is part of a larger pattern, with at least 10 people dying during encounters with immigration agents since the current administration expanded enforcement measures. Investigations into the vetting protocols and the specific circumstances of the Maine shooting remain ongoing.