EXCLUSIVE: Sister of ICE agent who fatally shot immigrant speaks out about brother’s racist history

Racist, dangerous, a loose cannon, those are the words used. by those close to David Brouillette. to describe him. If you don't remember that name, I'll remind you, he's the ICE. agent who fatally shot a. Colombian migrant in Maine. It happened this summer. And now new emails first obtained by the New York Times, confirmed by MS Now, show a particular. hatred towards Colombian immigrants. In these emails provided by his own sister, Brouillette. expressed anger toward his sister's.

partner who was born in Colombia but lives in the U.S. legally. Responding to an invitation to her son's birthday party, Brulette writes, "He does not emulate. what it means to be an American," saying his "bloodline. knows nothing about what it takes. to earn and then cherish the freedom America offers," and. accuses him of having anti-American. ideologies. According to The Times, Brulette was hired by ICE last December. after being fast-tracked. through a vetting process amid a hiring surge to double the. number of deportation officers.

His family says he suffered from ongoing mental health challenges. and PTSD after his military. service in Afghanistan that certainly should have raised red. flags. DHS told The Times any claims of substandard training or vetting. are false and that ICE. officers were trained to use the minimum amount of force. necessary to resolve dangerous situations. Speaking out today is Liz Eman. She is David Brouillette's. sister. Liz, I appreciate your courage and your willingness to. come speak to us about this.

And it's so important as we keep an eye on what's happening. around our country. Why was it important for you to come. forward and speak out now? Thank you for having me. When I heard about my brother's actions. on July 13th, I was devastated and immediately recalled his. messages in the email, which also ended our relationship. And I feel strongly that they are highly relevant.

to investigating his actions on that day. - These emails showed a direct hatred towards immigrants, including the father of your children, who was a Colombian immigrant, as we shared. What went through your head? What were you thinking? What was your gut reaction when you heard. that your own brother killed a Colombian immigrant? It was wild. It was a combination of not being surprised and shock.

and horror because of the history of his beliefs. and his messages in the email. It felt like a nightmare. I can imagine it felt like a nightmare. It's not just his beliefs, but also violent behavior. that you and your family experienced. Your family members have said that he has a history. of mental illness. Describe that violent behavior. that unfortunately impacted his life. - Yeah, I had a long distance relationship with him.

in our adulthood, so it consisted mostly. of phone and video calls. Although it was not news to me. when I read along with everyone else. the reports from his ex-wives. That was information that I had heard before, although I didn't experience it directly. And I'm learning even more about the extent. of the challenges and the violent behavior he had.

Although when he sent me those messages in January of 2021, that was clarity enough to me that he wasn't safe. to continue our relationship with. - The Times notes so many different behaviors. that should raise red flags, including lying in court, behavioral issues at previous employers, allegations of domestic assault. You're here not just because of your brother's experience, but because in part what you think it says. about the lack of vetting, or at least the vetting process in whatever form,

and the hiring practices at ICE. What do you make of those practices. someone like your brother could could be serving. I'm confused. how somebody could offer him an. enforcement a federal enforcement role and provide him. with a weapon and the authority to use it. It doesn't make any sense to me given his history and I would. like some answers about that. Did. anyone at DHS reach out to you or your family to ask any. questions about his background before.

giving him a gun basically? I was never contacted and I don't. have knowledge. that anyone in my family was. What do you think about that? Like what worries does that raise for you about the others. who are. serving right now? I wish I had been contacted. I would have. shared how our. relationship ended and and what I knew and I am very concerned.

If your brother is listening right now what do you say to. him. I know you two are estranged estranged but what. do you what would you say to him. You know I am somebody who. has hope that people can step up and become self-aware and. realize, um, take responsibility for their actions. And so I'm hoping that through this process and the. investigation, that some form of that is available to him.

Um, and if not, I hope that the powers that be in the. systems that exist fully investigate and hold him. responsible for his actions that day. You're a mental health professional, a psychologist, we appreciate a therapist. We appreciate you coming forward and sharing your experience with. us. It's so important. Thank you, Liz Zeman. - Appreciate you very much. - Thank you.