An ICE officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine is an Army veteran with a history of mental health issues and violent behavior, say his relatives. David Brouillette, accused by family of attacking women, allegedly told one relative someone should slit her throat. His past raises concerns about Homeland Security’s vetting during a hiring push to enforce Trump’s immigration policies.
Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, 25, was shot and killed by Brouillette in Biddeford, Maine. DHS hasn’t named the officer, but they claim the vehicle attempted to flee, prompting the shooting for public safety. Brouillette claimed self-defense to relatives, including his ex-wife and daughter.
ICE stated the officer has a decade of law enforcement experience and necessary training. The White House redirected inquiries to ICE. Brouillette confided in his ex-wife about joining ICE, which she doubted due to his mental health history, until seeing online videos of the shooting.
Ashley Brouillette, his ex-wife, divorced him due to violence, recalling him throwing boiling water at her while holding their child. Though no criminal record exists in Maine, family court records show multiple abuse allegations by a second ex-wife for herself and their daughters.
Brouillette’s family accused him of violent behavior toward his daughter, including tackling and dragging her. A court order granted protection for his daughter in 2021 due to these incidents.
His daughter, Madison, witnessed his volatility, including a moment when he considered suicide. A family member described him as having severe bipolar disorder and attempts at suicide as a child. His military service may have worsened his struggles.
Brouillette’s fascination with law enforcement began in Gardiner, where he joined ROTC in high school. Initially rejected by the military due to health diagnoses, he enlisted after stopping treatment as advised.
Serving in the Maine Army National Guard and later the regular Army, his deployment to Afghanistan reportedly worsened his condition. A relative said the military transformed him negatively, referring to him as a ‘killing machine’.
After his Army discharge, Brouillette held various jobs, including as a prison officer, and sustained a head injury during firefighter training. Court documents show he faced financial difficulties and collected disability pay.
Recently, Brouillette passed an exam to become a real estate agent but faced a child support lien. His ex-wife reported receiving a threatening voicemail from him in 2025, filled with derogatory comments and implied threats.
Following the shooting incident, his ex-wife contacted his current wife, and they spoke. Brouillette acknowledged the shooting, stating it was justified because the victim allegedly attempted to run him over.
His daughter supported his justification, believing he acted self-defensively, claiming he ‘did what he had to do’ to protect himself.
This report involves contributions from reporters in New Orleans, New York, Louisville, and Washington.