One person killed in shooting involving federal agents in Maine, official says

One person was killed in a shooting involving federal immigration agents on Monday in Maine, the state's top lawmaker says.

"A person was killed. ICE was involved," House Speaker Ryan Fecteau wrote on Facebook. He said the state police are at the scene and the FBI is expected to investigate as well.

Police have called it an "active investigation". The BBC has contacted the Department of Homeland Security and ICE for comment.

Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot a man in Texas during a vehicle stop. Officials later said the man was not the intended target.

Details regarding Monday's incident in Biddeford, Maine are scarce. Local police said a news conference would be held later.

Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said she was aware "that someone was fatally shot this morning, and ICE may be involved".

Maine Governor Janet Mills, said she had been briefed on the incident.

"I know that situations like these are frightening and alarming," Mills said.

Maine Senator Susan Collins said the shooting "requires a full and impartial investigation of what happened".

"It is my understanding that the Biddeford police have secured the site and that the FBI is investigating," she added in her post on X.

According to the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, the person who was killed was a 26-year old Colombian man who was authorised to work in the US.

"He was a member of our community, a neighbor, and a human being whose life was cut tragically short," the organisation said in a statement, which did not name the man.

"We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and everyone now grieving this unimaginable loss."

Protests broke out in Biddeford - 18 miles (30km) south of Portland - following the shooting. Others gathered outside the entrance of Senator Collins' office, to protest against her vote to fund ICE.

One witness told the Biddeford Gazette that around 07:20 local time, he saw lights flashing from an unmarked white SUV, and "at least two officers wearing green ICE vests".

Lucas Scott, a Biddeford resident, said the agents were yelling loudly as they surrounded a white sedan. He then heard at least four gunshots.

The incident on Monday draws renewed scrutiny on the Department of Homeland Security - which oversees ICE - lead by Markwayne Mullin.

He took over the role in March, replacing Kristi Noem after she was fired by the US president.

Noem's departure followed a similar string of cases in which encounters involving immigration officers ended with the deaths of American citizens, including Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

The deaths of Pretti and Good came after the Trump administration announced immigration enforcement surges in Minnesota and other states.

Federal officials launched a similar operation in Maine, in January, dubbed Operation Catch of the Day.

Multiple civil rights organisations filed a lawsuit against the administration for immigration officers' aggressive tactics during enforcement surges.