Portland, OR — Federal Agents Fire Shots, Leave Two People Injured
Two individuals were shot and wounded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, authorities confirmed. The shooting occurred during what federal officials described as a targeted vehicle stop outside a hospital in eastern Portland, prompting an FBI investigation and renewed calls for scrutiny of immigration enforcement operations.
Portland Police Bureau officers later located a man and a woman with apparent gunshot wounds a few blocks away and provided first aid before emergency medical teams transported them to a local hospital. Their current medical conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
City officials urged calm and transparency as investigators work to piece together conflicting accounts of the incident.
What Happened: Vehicle Stop Escalates
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol agents conducted a targeted stop of a vehicle carrying two occupants believed to be linked to a Venezuelan gang. Federal authorities say the driver allegedly “weaponized” the vehicle and attempted to strike agents, leading an officer to fire in self-defense.
Portland police were not part of the immigration operation but responded to reports of shots fired near the Adventist Health hospital campus. Minutes later, they discovered the injured individuals seeking help at a location several blocks away.
The FBI’s Portland office described the event as an “agent-involved shooting” and is leading the official investigation into the circumstances.
Political Fallout and Community Response
The incident sparked protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland on Thursday night, as residents and activists voiced anger over the use of force during immigration enforcement actions.
Portland’s mayor and city council members criticized federal tactics and called on ICE and Border Patrol to suspend operations in the city pending a full inquiry. Officials said they are pursuing all available legal and legislative avenues to protect civil liberties and ensure accountability.
Local and state leaders stressed the need for clarity as tensions continue to rise over federal immigration policies and enforcement practices.
