A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent shot and wounded two people in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon during what federal officials described as a self-defense incident. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the shooting occurred after a vehicle stopped by agents allegedly attempted to strike them.
The incident took place around 2:20 p.m. outside an Adventist Health clinic near Southeast Main Street. Federal authorities said agents had pulled over a vehicle when the situation escalated.
DHS Details Self-Defense Claim
In a statement shared on social media, DHS said agents identified themselves to the occupants of the vehicle. Officials allege the driver then used the vehicle as a weapon and attempted to run over the agents.
Fearing for their safety, one CBP agent fired a defensive shot, DHS said. The driver reportedly fled the scene with a passenger still inside the vehicle.
DHS further claimed the passenger was a Venezuelan national who was in the United States illegally and allegedly linked to the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring. Federal officials also stated that the passenger had been involved in a prior shooting in Portland.
Wounded Pair Found Miles Away
After fleeing, the vehicle traveled more than 2.5 miles before stopping near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside. At approximately 2:24 p.m., Portland Police Bureau said officers received a call from a shooting victim requesting help at that location.
Responding officers found a man and a woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately released.
Portland City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney later said she understood that both individuals were still alive.
Local Police Not Involved in Shooting
Portland police confirmed that federal agents were responsible for the shooting and emphasized that local officers were not involved in firing any weapons. Officers initially responded to the clinic area to verify reports of a federal use-of-force incident.
Residents near the second scene told KATU they saw a red Toyota truck arrive at an apartment complex. One witness said the wounded man exited the vehicle while bleeding.
FBI Collects Evidence at Scene
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation were observed gathering evidence at the scene later in the day. By approximately 6:35 p.m., a tow truck removed the red Toyota, and law enforcement personnel cleared the area.
The FBI posted online that it was investigating the shooting, though the post later appeared to be deleted.
City Leaders Demand Halt to ICE Operations
The Portland shooting came just one day after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, intensifying concerns among city leaders.
Following confirmation of the Portland incident, Mayor Keith Wilson called on the Trump administration to suspend Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Portland until an independent investigation is completed.
Standing alongside city councilors, Multnomah County officials, the sheriff, police leadership, state lawmakers, faith leaders, and the governor, Wilson criticized federal enforcement actions.
“When the administration talks about using full force, we are seeing what that looks like on our streets,” Wilson said, pointing to the real-world consequences for families and communities.
Governor Calls for Transparency and Independent Probe
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek echoed concerns about eroded trust between federal agencies and local governments. She also urged a full and transparent investigation.
“The priority right now is a complete investigation, not more detentions,” Kotek said, adding that cooperation with Portland police and the Multnomah County District Attorney was essential to restoring public confidence.
Protests Erupt Outside City Hall
As leaders addressed the media, demonstrators gathered outside Portland City Hall to protest the shooting and broader federal immigration enforcement practices.
City Councilor Sameer Kanal expressed anger over what he described as federal attempts to justify excessive force. He referenced similar criticism from Jacob Frey, who condemned ICE following the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis a day earlier.
Kanal said he stood in solidarity with those hospitalized or detained and with affected communities in both cities.
The Portland shooting involving a CBP agent has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics and reignited calls for accountability and independent investigations. As federal authorities investigate the incident, city and state leaders are demanding transparency, cooperation, and a pause on ICE operations to rebuild trust and ensure public safety.
