Biddeford residents ask the city for protection following the shooting of Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero

Community members in Biddeford asked city officials what they could do to protect them at a public hearing on Tuesday at Biddeford High School’s Little Theater.

The public hearing was held in response to the fatal shooting last week of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero. Guerrero was born in Columbia and had been issued a Social Security number. He was shot by an ICE officer and was reportedly was not the intended target of the warrant. 

“I’d like to be clear about why we’re here tonight, because I don’t want anyone to mistake it,” said Mayor Liam LaFountain. “We’re not here because of where Johan was born. We’re not here to make a political point. We’re here because Johan was a member of this community, our community. What we’re doing tonight for him, what we’re asking for him, we would ask for any person who died in this way on the streets of Biddeford. Anyone. That’s what it means to be a community. When one of us is taken like this, we do not look away, we do not stay quiet.”

LaFountain said the city was asking for two simple things – “justice and truth.”

The Mayor spoke of the grief of the family of Duran Guerrero and the fear many immigrants are living with right now.

“That fear is paralyzing, and in our city, we will not pretend otherwise. We will not look past the people who have to live with it,” said LaFountain. “To our immigrant neighbors, you belong here. You’re part of who Biddeford is, and you should not have to carry this weight alone.”

LaFountain issued a proclamation “Demanding Justice and Accountability for the Fatal Shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, and Calling for Humane Immigration Reform.”

More than two dozen community members spoke at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Catherine Crowley, said she had lived in the city for more than 10 years and was proud to be part of the Biddeford community. She said Tuesday’s meeting was the first City Council meeting she had attended.

“This is kind of an unprecedented time, I think, in a lot of our lives,” she said. “I find myself really wondering what I can do to make a difference.”

Crowley said she had attended the protests and spoke with many community members this past week, and she had a lot of questions.

“I don’t know that anything I’m saying is profound. I want to be heard. I want you all to know that we care so much about each other and we need to stand up for each other. I hope you hear us today and you do turn words into action,” she said.

Biddeford resident Matt Gile speaks at Tuesday night's public hearing at Biddeford High School. PHOTO BY LIZ GOTTHELF

Matt Gile gave an impassioned speech.

“When our taxpayer dollars sponsor the murder of any one member of our community, nobody’s rights are safe,” he said.

His wife, Kayla Lewis, suggested the city network with similar Maine communities, form a coalition and come up with an action plan; and also talk to legislators for action steps that could be taken at the state level.

“I’m not going to play coy with you guys. We’ve done our part as a community. We will continue to do our part. Now it is your turn to do what you need to do,” she said.

Biddeford resident Sam Pecor speaks at Tuesday night's public hearing at Biddeford High School. PHOTO BY LIZ GOTTHELF

Sam Pecor, a former city council candidate, said while the City Council lacked federal authority, it could execute municipal authority and examine what it could do to protect its citizens.

“Statements and ceremony will not make us safe. They do not answer the question before us. What do this council and this mayor intend to do,” he asked.

Councilor David Kurtz represents Ward 5 where the shooting took place.

“This happened a block away from where my mother goes to synagogue. And if you don’t think the Jews are talking about this, you’re f---ing crazy,” he said. “This is the same thing.”

Councilor Abigail Woods said she lives a short distance from the site of the shooting and she walks past the memorial on the corner of Hill and Pool streets every day.

“I know I’m ready to take the action that you all have asked for tonight. I hope that my fellow elected officials are as well,” she said.

She thanked those for attending the meeting and said that community members needed to continue to be involved as well as elected officials.

“This does take all of us,” she said,

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.