Two individuals were injured in a shooting incident involving federal agents in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The incident, which occurred during a vehicle stop, is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and has led to calls for transparency and a suspension of federal operations from local and state officials. Both individuals sustained gunshot wounds and were hospitalized; their conditions have not been publicly disclosed, though city officials stated they were alive.
Incident Overview
The shooting occurred around 2:18 p.m. local time on the 10200 block of Southeast Main Street, near a medical office in eastern Portland. Federal agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), were involved.
According to DHS, the incident took place during a "targeted" vehicle stop. DHS identified the vehicle's passenger as a "Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring," who was also reportedly linked to a recent shooting in Portland. DHS stated that agents identified themselves to the vehicle's occupants, after which the driver allegedly "weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents." In response, an agent reportedly discharged a "defensive shot." The driver then fled the scene with the passenger.
Independent corroboration of the DHS account, including the specifics of the encounter and the alleged gang affiliation of the vehicle's occupants, was not immediately available.
Local Law Enforcement Response
Portland Police officers were not directly involved in the shooting itself. They initially responded to a call for assistance regarding a shooting near Adventist Health hospital. Minutes later, reports were received of a man with a gunshot wound seeking help in a residential area several miles away, specifically in the vicinity of Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside Street.
Officers located a man and a woman displaying apparent gunshot wounds and confirmed their injuries were sustained in the interaction with federal agents. Police provided medical aid before emergency personnel transported both individuals to a hospital. Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney confirmed that the two wounded individuals were Portland residents and were alive. Portland Police secured both the initial shooting site and the area where the wounded individuals were found.
Investigations Launched
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is leading the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from Portland Police. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has pledged to investigate "whether any federal officer acted outside the scope of their lawful authority" and stated that criminal charges would be referred if applicable. Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez indicated his office would monitor the investigation to ensure evidence preservation and a thorough fact-finding process.
Official and Community Reactions
The incident has prompted significant reactions from local and state officials, as well as community members.
- Portland Mayor Keith Wilson called for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to suspend all operations in Portland pending a comprehensive and independent investigation. He expressed skepticism regarding the federal government's account and stated the community required answers.
- Oregon Governor Tina Kotek demanded transparency and cooperation from the federal government with local authorities, including Portland Police and the Multnomah County District Attorney, to ensure an efficient and effective investigation.
- Portland City Council, including Mayor Wilson, released a joint statement asserting that federal actions "undermine effective, community-based public safety" and pledged to utilize available legal and legislative tools to protect residents' rights.
- Democratic State Senator Kayse Jama urged federal agents to leave Oregon.
- Portland Police Chief Bob Day acknowledged "heightened emotion and tension" following a separate officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis the previous day and urged the community to maintain calm as officials gather more information.
- U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) called for peaceful protests.
- Protests were reported, with hundreds of individuals gathering at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building.
Contextual Information
This shooting follows a separate incident one day prior, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a driver in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Portland has a history of contentious relations with federal immigration enforcement, including past protests against federal deployments during the Trump administration.