Portland: Two people were wounded during a shooting involving US federal agents in Portland, Oregon, authorities said, in an incident that has intensified scrutiny of federal law enforcement operations in American cities.
Portland Police said a man and a woman were taken to the hospital after being found several blocks from the scene in the city’s Hazelwood neighbourhood. Their conditions were not immediately known. Officers applied a tourniquet and called emergency medical services before transporting the pair to a hospital for treatment.
At 2:19 PST, US Border Patrol agents were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in Portland, Oregon. The passenger of the vehicle and target is a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and involved in a recent shooting in…
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 9, 2026
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the shooting occurred at about 14:19 local time during a traffic stop involving a suspected Venezuelan gang member. According to DHS, the driver attempted to run over federal agents with his vehicle after they identified themselves.
DHS stated that, “Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot.” DHS identified the passenger as a Venezuelan national allegedly linked to the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and said the individual was involved in a recent shooting in Portland. Authorities have not officially confirmed whether the wounded individuals were the occupants of the vehicle, though US media cited police sources as saying the injured pair were a married couple.
Portland Police stressed that their officers were not involved in the shooting and responded only after receiving reports of gunfire. The investigation is being led by the FBI, police chief Bob Day said, urging the public to remain calm as details continue to emerge.
The incident came just a day after a federal agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, an event that sparked protests across several US cities. That case has drawn criticism after officials in Minnesota said the FBI would not include local investigators in its inquiry.
Portland District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said he was at the scene to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, pledging that all evidence would be preserved and fully examined. Mayor Keith Wilson called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to suspend operations in the city until the investigation is complete, expressing scepticism about federal accounts of events.
Local and state leaders have warned that excluding local authorities from federal investigations risks undermining public trust. State senator Lew Frederick said community confidence depends on impartial oversight, noting that rising tensions in Portland had made such an incident foreseeable.
Portland has previously been a focal point for large-scale protests, including demonstrations against US President Donald Trump. Police said one protester was arrested on a charge of menacing after allegedly threatening another person with a knife.
As investigations continue, officials acknowledged the heightened emotions in the city and called for restraint while authorities work to establish the full sequence of events.
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