The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported an incident involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent who discharged a firearm, injuring two individuals in Portland, Oregon. The shooting occurred following an alleged attempt by a car driver to strike federal officers with the vehicle.
The events unfolded around 2:19 p.m. local time when Border Patrol agents intercepted a vehicle, identifying themselves as law enforcement officials, according to DHS.
DHS claims that the driver, suspected of being affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), supposedly “weaponized the vehicle” in an attempt to run over the agents.
In response to the perceived threat, an agent, fearing for his personal safety, fired his weapon in self-defense, as stated by DHS. The driver, alongside a passenger, then fled the scene.
Officials also noted that the driver is allegedly connected to a recent shooting incident within the city.
FBI agents were present at the location of the reported shooting involving federal officers. (KPTV)
Following the incident, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “halt all operations” in the city until a full and independent investigation can take place.
“We know what the federal government says happened here,” Wilson said during a news conference Thursday. “There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time has long passed.”
Wilson added that ICE agents and DHS leadership “must fully be investigated and held responsible for the violence inflicted on the American people in Minnesota, in Portland, and in all the communities across America.”
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek reacted to the shooting, claiming it was “instigated by the reckless agenda of the Trump administration.”
“While the details of the incident remain limited, one thing is very clear: when a president endorses tearing families apart and attempts to govern through fear and hate rather than shared values, you foster an environment of lawlessness and recklessness,” she said.
Kotek said Oregon’s attorney general and other leaders have raised concerns with the excessive use of force by federal agents in Portland, adding that “today’s incident only heightens the need for transparency and accountability.”
Portland District Attorney Nathan Vazquez said Thursday he was “very concerned” by the incident and pledged a thorough investigation.
Portland District Attorney Nathan Vazquez hosts a press conference outside a medical building in Portland after a shooting involving federal agents occurred. (KPTV)
Vazquez said his office is working closely with Portland police and the FBI.
Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 10200 block of Southeast Main Street at about 2:18 p.m. local time and confirmed federal agents were involved, according to the city.
Fewer than 10 minutes later, at 2:24 p.m., officers were told a man who had been shot was calling and requesting help in the area of Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside.
Police responded and found a man and woman with apparent gunshot wounds, according to the city. They were taken to the hospital and their conditions are unknown.
The City of Portland released a map of where a shooting took place Thursday afternoon in Portland, Oregon. (City of Portland)
Both scenes were secured by the PPB pending an investigation, officials said.
No arrests have been confirmed.
“We are still in the early stages of this incident,” PPB Chief Bob Day wrote in a statement. “We understand the heightened emotion and tension many are feeling in the wake of the shooting in Minneapolis, but I am asking the community to remain calm as we work to learn more.”
Two people were allegedly shot by federal agents in an Oregon neighborhood. (KPTV)
PPB officers were not involved in the incident, and “do not engage in immigration enforcement,” according to city officials.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., reacted to the shooting on X, blaming the Trump administration for “inflaming violence.”
“I’m monitoring the first awful reports of two people shot in Portland by federal law enforcement,” Wyden wrote in the post. “I’ll keep you updated, but Trump’s deployment of federal agents in my hometown is clearly inflaming violence–and must end.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said he had “huge concern” about a reported shooting of two individuals by federal agents outside Portland Adventist Hospital.
“Please keep protests of Trump’s ICE/CBP peaceful, as Trump wants to generate riots,” Merkley said, adding, “Don’t take the bait.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
