Family Remembers Colombian Immigrant Killed by Immigration Officer
The partner of a Colombian immigrant fatally shot by an immigration officer in Maine is urging the public to remember his commitment to building a better life for his family rather than the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. Carolina Rojas, in her first public statement since the incident, described Johann Guerrero, 25, as a dedicated worker who was always on the go, a loving partner, and an adoring father to their three-year-old daughter.
During a heartfelt news conference in Biddeford, Maine, Rojas described how Guerrero’s life changed the moment he learned they were expecting a daughter. He treated her like royalty, she recounted, and dedicated himself to ensuring their daughter never lacked anything. “From the moment he took her in his arms and held her little hand, he never let her go,” Rojas reflected, her words translated from Spanish with emotion.
Details about the shooting remain limited, though officials confirmed that Guerrero was not the intended target during an immigration operation. He was simply driving to work at the time of the incident, shortly after 7 a.m. A spokesperson for U.S. Senator Angus King relayed the information received from government sources regarding the event.
Benjamin Gideon, an attorney for Guerrero’s family, stated clearly that Guerrero was legally permitted to work in the United States, having been issued a work permit and a Social Security card during the Trump administration. “Do we accept the idea that an innocent loving partner or devoted father could be collateral damage to this government’s policy?” Gideon questioned, highlighting the troubling implications of the shooting.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement asserting that Guerrero entered the U.S. illegally through the southern border on September 1, 2023, clarifying that a work permit does not equate to legal status in the country. Guerrero, like many before him, sought greater opportunities in the U.S., pursuing a better life for himself and his family.
Those who knew Guerrero in his hometown of Bucaramanga described him as a hard-working individual with a relentless determination to succeed. Ricardo Triana, a local business owner, recounted how Guerrero had persistently sought work, eventually earning enough to buy a bicycle, then a motorcycle, and eventually a car. “That guy was a mainstay,” Triana remarked, recalling Guerrero’s unwavering focus and dedication to his work.
Growing up in a middle-class neighborhood, Guerrero played soccer and graduated from secondary school in 2018. With aspirations of a better future, he was inspired by his sister’s move to the United States. His dreams intensified when he learned Rojas was pregnant, fueling his determination to provide for his family. Friends noted that he often worked long hours, first as a cleaner and then as a food delivery driver, all while planning for his loved ones to join him in the U.S.
News of Guerrero’s tragic death reached his hometown swiftly, leaving family and friends in shock. Camilo Bayon, a childhood friend, expressed disbelief over the loss. Rojas, now grappling with her grief, reflected on Guerrero’s dreams of a shared future. As she considers how to explain his absence to their daughter, Rojas struggles with the weight of that reality: “I don’t have the strength to tell her that Daddy isn’t coming.”
