Federal Agents Involved in Portland Shooting That Injured 2, Officials Confirm
Two people were injured in a shooting involving federal agents in Portland, Oregon, on January 8, an incident that has intensified already high tensions across the country over aggressive immigration enforcement and recent fatal encounters involving federal officers.
The shooting happened in the early afternoon, shortly after 2:15 p.m., when Portland police received reports of gunfire in southeast Portland. When officers arrived, they confirmed that federal agents had been involved. Minutes later, police received a second call from about three miles away reporting that two people had been shot and needed help. Officers found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain under medical care. Authorities have not released their names, but city officials later confirmed the victims are a married couple.
Local police stressed that Portland officers were not involved in the shooting itself and that the incident is now being investigated by federal authorities, led by the FBI.
Federal Account and Gang Allegations
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol agents were conducting a vehicle stop when the driver allegedly attempted to use his car as a weapon. Federal officials claimed the driver tried to run over agents after they identified themselves, prompting one agent to fire what was described as a “defensive shot.”
Homeland Security said both the driver and passenger were suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a Venezuelan criminal organization that has been cited repeatedly by federal officials in recent immigration enforcement actions. Authorities also claimed the passenger had ties to a previous shooting in Portland.
After the shot was fired, the vehicle reportedly fled the scene before the injured couple called for help. Federal officials said the situation remains under investigation and more details would be released as they become available.
State Leaders Demand Accountability
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced that the Oregon Department of Justice has opened its own investigation into the incident. Rayfield said his office will examine whether federal agents acted within the bounds of the law and whether excessive force was used.
“We have been clear about our concerns regarding the use of force by federal agents,” Rayfield said. “This incident only reinforces the need for transparency and accountability.”
If evidence suggests criminal wrongdoing, the case could be referred to the Multnomah County district attorney.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson echoed those concerns and went further, calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to suspend all operations in the city until a full, independent investigation is completed.
“There was a time when we could simply take the federal government at its word,” Wilson said during a press conference. “That time has passed.”
Community Trust Shaken
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also weighed in, saying the presence and actions of federal agents are damaging trust between law enforcement and local communities.
“Today’s incident shatters confidence at a time when people are already afraid,” Kotek said. “Oregonians deserve answers, and they deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods.”
Local officials emphasized that Portland police do not participate in immigration enforcement and were not involved in the shooting. Police Chief Bob Day said officers are cooperating with federal investigators but do not yet know the full facts of the case.
“This is a federal investigation,” Day said. “We are asking the community to remain calm while the facts are established.”
A Climate of Escalation
The Portland shooting comes just one day after a fatal incident in Minneapolis, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman during a vehicle encounter. That death sparked protests and outrage nationwide, with critics accusing federal agencies of using excessive force under the banner of immigration enforcement.
Civil rights groups and local leaders say these incidents are not isolated but part of a broader pattern linked to President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown during his second term. Federal agents have been deployed in large numbers to cities the administration claims are plagued by crime and illegal immigration, including Portland, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
Critics argue those claims exaggerate conditions on the ground and inflame tensions rather than improve public safety.
Calls to Halt ICE Operations
Oregon State Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama delivered some of the strongest words following the shooting, saying ICE has no place in Portland.
“We do not need you here,” Jama said. “You are not welcome, and you need to leave our community.”
Multnomah County officials also voted to extend an emergency declaration tied to what they describe as ongoing harm caused by federal immigration operations. County leaders urged federal authorities to allow greater transparency and involvement from local law enforcement.
History of Similar Incidents
The Portland shooting adds to a growing list of recent incidents involving federal immigration agents. In December, two people were wounded during an immigration operation in Maryland. In September, a man was shot and killed outside Chicago, an incident that remains under scrutiny after video evidence contradicted parts of the federal account.
Civil rights advocates warn that these confrontations are becoming more frequent as agents are instructed to take “decisive action” when they feel threatened. A December email obtained by reporters showed immigration officials advising agents to remain vigilant and prepared to respond forcefully during encounters.
A City on Edge
Eyewitnesses near the Portland shooting described panic and confusion. Employees at a nearby medical facility said someone ran inside, warning staff about gunfire in the parking lot.
Police have closed off multiple locations connected to the incident as investigators continue their work.
Mayor Wilson urged residents to stay calm and avoid escalation, even as emotions remain raw.
“Portland is not a testing ground for militarized enforcement,” he said. “Our city deserves safety, dignity, and accountability.”
As investigations unfold, many in Portland and across the country are watching closely, hoping for answers and fearing what comes next as federal immigration enforcement continues to expand.
