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.
