Biddeford City Council Special Meeting: Proclamation and Public Comments on Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero's Death (July 21, 2026)

This was an irregular special meeting of the Biddeford City Council convened primarily to read a proclamation regarding the fatal shooting of Biddeford resident Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by a federal immigration enforcement agent on July 13, 2026, and to allow public comment. No regular business was conducted; the council heard emotional testimony from over 30 speakers and delivered remarks. The meeting began with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Proclamation

• Mayor Liam LaFountain read a comprehensive proclamation titled "Demanding Justice and Accountability for the Fatal Shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, and Calling for Humane Immigration Reform." The proclamation detailed that Guerrero had a federal work permit, Social Security number, and was following legal procedures; condemned the shooting as a result of reckless federal enforcement; called for a thorough, impartial, independent investigation with full cooperation from Maine law enforcement; demanded Congress reform the immigration system; and declared that Biddeford would not accept any death as acceptable collateral for enforcement. The proclamation was entered into the official record.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dozens of residents, advocates, and representatives from organizations such as Presente Maine and the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition spoke. Almost all expressed grief, anger, and a sense of inevitability given months of ICE presence in Biddeford.
• Kelsey Cummings (renter/business owner) expressed frustration that prior warnings about ICE were ignored, stating the community has been asked to bear too much and demanding real action.
• Amy Kearns (Ward 5) emphasized that transparency, accountability, and compassion are community values, not partisan ones, and urged continued unity.
• Tofi Thorne (Presente Maine) said ICE has no place in communities, called for total dismantling of the agency, and noted that 22 individuals have died in ICE custody this year alone. He stated that the January ICE occupation was a warning that went unheeded.
• John Collins (Ward 6) cited statistics from across the country: "29 shootings, six deaths, zero arrests" from ICE operations, and argued that federal investigations are cover-ups. He described a video showing a supervisor instructing the shooter immediately after the killing, suggesting the start of a cover-up.
• Victor Forsley (resident) asked the mayor whether he has been collaborating with mayors from other cities that faced similar incidents.
• Sam Polick (Ward 4, neighbor) described months of ICE surveillance at bus stops, children pulled from school, and neighbors pulled from cars, calling the killing a "tragic inevitability."
• Alan Dutremble (74-year-old resident) said the problem lies in Washington and urged everyone to vote for Democrats in November to change the majority in Congress.
• Mufalo (Executive Director, Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition) stated that the community is exhausted and leaders must act, emphasizing that history will remember what they did.
• Kayla Lewis (Ward 3) proposed forming an ad hoc committee and networking with Sanford, Saco, and Lewiston to coordinate action steps.
• Jeremy Sims (Ward 5) questioned the responsibility of local law enforcement to intervene against lethal federal agents, and called for the council to consider using all available powers to protect residents.
• Several speakers requested preserving the memorial site with a permanent stone flower bed, and many called for the council to move beyond words to concrete actions such as restricting ICE cooperation, requiring body cameras for federal agents, and enhancing community policing.
• The public hearing was emotionally charged, with many speakers expressing love for the community and demanding justice for Guerrero's family.

Councillor Remarks

• Councillor Cody: Called the death an absolute tragedy and urged everyone to focus on right vs. wrong, not left vs. right. Encouraged donations to the family and volunteer work to support immigrants.
• Councillor Badney: Thanked speakers and commended the mayor's calm demeanor. Said leadership sometimes involves quiet behind-the-scenes work, and that reform cannot be achieved with violence.
• Councillor Woods: Apologized for not speaking out earlier from this seat, noting ICE has been terrorizing streets for months. Committed to action and urged collective effort.
• Councillor Kurtz: Stated that not having a Social Security number is not a capital offense and called the shooting an execution by the federal government. He mentioned that Jewish community members are discussing the case.
• Councillor Dowdy: Thanked the mayor for changing the meeting scope. Acknowledged anger and grief, and pledged to push for transparency and accountability.
• Councillor Pearson: Criticized the council for suspending regular business items (city manager search, committee appointments, liquor licenses, etc.), stating that delaying these core municipal functions harms the community and apologizing for not living up to promises.
• Mayor LaFountain: Thanked community organizations and promised to commit to action, not just words, moving forward.

Key Outcomes

• The proclamation was read and entered into the official record (no vote required, as it was a ceremonial proclamation).
• No formal votes or decisions were taken on any substantive policy changes.
• The council did not address the regularly scheduled agenda items (city manager search, liquor licenses, budget carryovers, etc.); Councillor Pearson noted these were postponed to a future meeting.
• The meeting adjourned after councillor remarks, with a unanimous voice vote to adjourn.