Listen to the article
Federal agents shot and wounded two people in Portland Thursday afternoon, prompting an FBI investigation into the use of force.
Two individuals—a man and a woman—were shot around 2:15 p.m. Thursday during an encounter involving federal agents in East Portland’s Hazelwood neighborhood, according to the Portland Police Bureau. The FBI is leading the investigation into the agent involved shooting, which remains active.
Customs and Border Protection later released additional details, saying U.S. Border Patrol agents were conducting a targeted vehicle stop when the shooting occurred. According to a statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin provided to Military.com, agents attempted to stop a vehicle at approximately 2:19 p.m. PST. CBP said that when agents identified themselves, the driver attempted to run over law enforcement officers, prompting an agent to fire what the agency described as a defensive shot. CBP said the vehicle fled the scene with two occupants and that the situation remains evolving. CBP alleged the passenger was a Venezuelan national affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and linked to a recent shooting in Portland, and that the driver was believed to be a member of the same criminal organization.
The shooting comes amid heightened scrutiny of federal enforcement operations after a fatal incident during an immigration action in Minneapolis triggered a widening federal state dispute over who controls the investigation and how information is released.
Police Secure Area After Federal Agent Shooting
Portland police said officers initially responded at 2:18 p.m. to reports of a shooting in the 10200 block of Southeast Main Street. Responding officers learned federal agents had been involved and secured the area.
Minutes later, police said a man who had been shot called for help near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside Street. Officers located a man and a woman with apparent gunshot wounds, applied a tourniquet and summoned emergency medical personnel. Both were transported to a local hospital. Their identities and conditions were not released.
“The Portland Police Bureau assisted with securing the scene and providing medical aid,” a police spokesperson told Military.com. “Two individuals were shot and injured by federal agents and transported to an area hospital.”
Police emphasized that no Portland officers fired their weapons and confirmed the incident involved federal agents. The bureau said it is not leading the investigation.
Mayor, Governor Call for Independent Federal Investigation
City and state leaders called for an independent review of the shooting, saying the incident has shaken public confidence and demands full transparency from federal authorities.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said the city was reeling from the use of force by federal agents and urged investigators to treat the case with urgency.
“These are human beings,” Wheeler said. “Our community deserves transparency and accountability.”
Gov. Tina Kotek said the shooting underscored the importance of cooperation between federal, state and local officials.
“Trust is essential to maintaining community safety and the rule of law,” Kotek said. “We demand transparency and cooperation so this incident can be investigated efficiently and effectively.”
Both leaders urged residents to remain calm and allow investigators to complete their work, while stressing that public trust depends on a full and independent accounting of what occurred.
FBI Takes Over Federal Agent Shooting Investigation
The FBI Portland field office confirmed Thursday evening that it is leading the investigation.
“FBI Portland is investigating an agent involved shooting that happened at approximately 2:15 p.m. near the 10000 block of Main Street in Portland involving Customs and Border Protection agents in which two individuals were wounded,” the bureau said in a statement posted on X. “This remains an active and ongoing investigation led by the FBI.”
Federal investigators did not say what led to the shooting, whether the individuals were armed, or the nature of the agents’ operation, and did not provide a timeline for additional updates. The FBI identified the agents involved as assigned to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, not Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Military.com reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, the Oregon Department of Justice, the Portland mayor’s office, the Portland City Council and the ACLU of Oregon for comment. Officials also did not indicate whether body worn camera footage or other video evidence exists.
Key Details Still Unclear in Federal Agent Shooting
Authorities have not said whether the encounter was related to immigration enforcement, a warrant service or another federal operation. It also remains unclear whether the agents involved have been placed on administrative duty as investigators review the use of force.
Local tensions over federal activity have also surfaced in recent months in separate legal and political fights over the federal government’s posture in Portland, including court scrutiny of proposals involving federal forces and allegations of aggressive tactics during earlier operations.
Portland City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney said she understood both victims were alive and urged calm in the community as the investigation continues.
The investigation remains ongoing.
UPDATED 10:42 p.m. ET, Jan. 8: This story was updated with comments from Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek following a joint press conference.
Story Continues
Read the full article here
20 Comments
The timing of this incident, coming amid heightened scrutiny of federal enforcement operations after a fatal incident in Minneapolis, suggests that the investigation will be closely watched and potentially controversial.
I’m skeptical about the claim that the driver was a member of the same criminal organization as the passenger, and I hope that the investigation will provide more evidence to support this allegation.
I’m interested in learning more about the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and its alleged links to the individuals involved in the shooting.
The ring’s alleged involvement in a recent shooting in Portland suggests that it may be a significant player in the city’s criminal underworld.
The call for an independent federal investigation by Mayor and Governor is a step in the right direction, as it will help to ensure that the investigation is impartial and thorough.
It’s concerning that the situation remains evolving, as stated by CBP, and I hope that the FBI investigation will provide more clarity on the events surrounding the shooting.
The involvement of federal agents and the potential links to a transnational criminal organization make this a complex case that requires careful investigation.
The fact that the Portland Police Bureau is not leading the investigation, but rather assisting with securing the scene and providing medical aid, suggests that the federal agents were operating independently in this incident.
The fact that the driver attempted to run over law enforcement officers, prompting an agent to fire a defensive shot, raises questions about the level of threat posed by the individuals involved in the incident.
It’s also worth noting that the passenger was allegedly affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring, which could imply a larger criminal organization at play.
The fact that the vehicle fled the scene with two occupants after the shooting suggests that the individuals involved may have been attempting to escape justice.
The incident has sparked concerns about the relationship between federal law enforcement and local communities, particularly in light of the recent fatal incident in Minneapolis.
The incident has raised concerns about the potential for escalation of violence between law enforcement and criminal organizations, and the need for de-escalation techniques to be used in such situations.
I’m curious about the condition of the two individuals who were shot and injured by federal agents, and whether they will face any charges related to the alleged criminal activity.
The use of a targeted vehicle stop by U.S. Border Patrol agents raises questions about the effectiveness of this tactic in preventing crime and ensuring public safety.
The fact that Customs and Border Protection released additional details about the incident, including the attempted vehicle stop and the driver’s alleged attempt to run over agents, helps to provide some context for the shooting.
The fact that the shooting occurred in the Hazelwood neighborhood of East Portland, which has seen a significant increase in crime in recent years, highlights the need for effective community policing strategies.
I’m curious about the role of Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in providing information about the incident, and whether she will be involved in the ongoing investigation.
It’s worth noting that the FBI is leading the investigation into the agent-involved shooting, which suggests that the agency is taking the incident seriously and is committed to uncovering the facts.
The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in federal enforcement operations, particularly in cases where use of force is involved.