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White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent linked to the fatal shooting of a Colombian national in Maine may never have cleared the agency’s screening process if allegations of domestic violence and misconduct are substantiated.
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Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Homan addressed questions surrounding the officer, identified in media reports as David Brouillette, stating that the allegations raised serious concerns about whether ICE’s vetting procedures functioned properly.
“If those are facts, I don’t think he should ever have cleared vetting,” Homan said. “How did the vetting process fail? Was that information not available? Did they not know? So, there’s a separate administrative investigation on what happened here.”
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Maine Attorney General’s Office on Sunday.
What Happened in the Maine ICE Shooting?
Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian national who was legally authorized to work in the United States, was shot and killed during an ICE operation in Biddeford, Maine, on July 13.
The DHS initially stated that agents were conducting surveillance on the last known address of an individual with a final removal order when they attempted a vehicle stop. DHS reported that the driver attempted to flee and an officer discharged a weapon out of concern for public safety.
The incident drew national scrutiny after DHS officials confirmed that Durán Guerrero was not the target of the operation.
Security-camera footage reviewed by Newsweek showed the aftermath of the shooting, including a white Kia sedan moving erratically through an intersection after gunfire erupted. Witnesses reported hearing five shots. Additional footage showed federal agents pulling Durán Guerrero from the vehicle and attempting medical aid after he was handcuffed.
The shooting sparked protests across Maine and renewed questions about ICE’s use of force during vehicle stops. It also intensified criticism after it was revealed that agents involved in the operation were not wearing body cameras despite a yearslong federal push to expand their use.
Durán Guerrero’s death came less than a week after another fatal ICE shooting in Houston involving Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national whose family disputed the government’s account that he had used his vehicle as a weapon.
Allegations Against ICE Agent Raise New Questions
Media reports later identified Brouillette, an Army veteran and former Department of Veterans Affairs police officer, as the ICE officer who fired the fatal shots.
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Court records and interviews with family members reported by the Associated Press described allegations of domestic violence, mental health struggles and protective-order proceedings involving Brouillette. Two former spouses accused him of abusive behavior, allegations he denied in court filings.
One ex-wife told reporters she had experienced severe domestic violence during their marriage. Another alleged that Brouillette stalked and harassed her and physically abused a daughter. Family court records cited by the Associated Press included requests for temporary protection orders, including one that resulted in a judge temporarily ordering Brouillette to relinquish his firearms.
Democrats have seized on those reports to question how the officer passed ICE screening during the agency’s rapid expansion under President Donald Trump’s mass-deportation agenda.
On Sunday, Homan appeared to acknowledge those concerns.
“If this person had that type of history, it would have been a vetting issue, and it should have been brought to the attention of those who make those decisions,” he said.
He added that ICE’s internal affairs division is investigating whether information about the officer’s background was available during hiring and whether any warning signs were missed.
ICE Reviewing Training and Hiring Procedures
Despite his criticism of the hiring process in this case, Homan defended ICE’s overall vetting program and said the agency’s approximately 30,000 employees undergo screening before being hired.
“ICE has about 30,000 employees. They all go through vetting. This is kind of a rare instance,” he said.
Homan also said ICE is continuing to review training and field operations following the Maine and Texas shootings.
The border czar confirmed that acting ICE Director David Venturella has implemented operational changes while those reviews continue, including requiring at least one body camera at vehicle stops and assigning experienced agents to assist operations.
The Maine shooting remains under investigation by the FBI, the Maine Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.
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This story was originally published July 26, 2026 at 8:54 AM.