AUGUSTA, Maine — An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer involved in a recent shooting incident in Maine has a history of mental health challenges and violent behavior, according to his relatives. David Brouillette, an Army veteran, is accused of shooting a Colombian man, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, during an attempted arrest.
Family members claim Brouillette has exhibited alarming behavior over the years, including threats and attacks on women. A relative shared a voicemail with the Associated Press in which Brouillette suggested violent acts against her.
These revelations raise concerns about the vetting process of the Department of Homeland Security, particularly during a hiring surge aimed at supporting former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. More details can be found here and here.
Incident in Maine
The shooting of 25-year-old Durán Guerrero is one of several fatal encounters with immigration agents since Trump’s policy initiatives. The Department of Homeland Security stated the officer fired his weapon as the vehicle attempted to flee. Brouillette claimed self-defense when speaking to family members after the incident.
ICE spokeswoman Lauren Bis commented, “We will never confirm or deny attempts to dox our law enforcement officers,” noting Brouillette’s decade-long experience and training.
Background of the Officer
Brouillette, 37, informed his ex-wife, Ashley Brouillette, of his new position with ICE late last year. Given his mental health history, she initially doubted his claim until the shooting incident surfaced online.
Ashley Brouillette recounted previous domestic abuse during their marriage, including an incident involving boiling water while holding their child. Family court records document years of accusations against Brouillette by his second ex-wife, including stalking and harassment.
Despite these allegations, Brouillette has no recorded criminal history in Maine. Legal documents detail abuse claims by his second ex-wife on behalf of herself and their daughters.
Military and Career Path
Raised in Gardiner, Maine, Brouillette was drawn to the military and law enforcement from a young age. Despite initial rejections due to mental health diagnoses, he enlisted in the Army, serving from 2007 to 2015, including a deployment to Afghanistan.
Post-Army, Brouillette pursued various jobs, including as a police officer at a Veterans Affairs medical center and a student in a firefighting program, where he sustained a head injury. He later worked as a real estate agent before joining ICE.
Relatives Speak Out
Family members describe Brouillette as struggling with bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder from a young age. His daughter, Madison, recounted his mental health battles and an incident of suicidal contemplation.
Following the recent shooting, Brouillette justified his actions to relatives, maintaining he acted to protect himself from a threat. “I think he thinks that he genuinely did the right thing,” Madison commented.
