A tense scene unfolded outside a Portland hospital Thursday afternoon, culminating in a shooting involving U.S. federal immigration agents and leaving two people wounded. The incident immediately ignited protests and fueled existing distrust between city officials and federal authorities.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the shooting began when agents attempted to approach a vehicle linked to a recent shooting in Portland. They identified the passenger as a Venezuelan national allegedly connected to the notorious Tren de Aragua criminal organization, known for involvement in prostitution and other illicit activities.
The situation escalated rapidly when the driver allegedly attempted to strike the agents with the vehicle. An agent, fearing for their life, discharged a firearm in what was described as a defensive act. The vehicle then fled the scene, leaving both occupants injured.
Portland Police responded to initial reports of a shooting near Adventist Health hospital at 2:18 p.m. Shortly after, they received information about two individuals with gunshot wounds seeking help several kilometers away. Officers discovered a man and a woman suffering from injuries consistent with a shooting involving federal agents.
First responders immediately provided medical attention, applying a tourniquet to one of the victims. The current conditions of both individuals remain unknown, though city officials reported late Thursday that both were still alive. Hope for positive updates remains.
The FBI has taken the lead in investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but details remain scarce. Police Chief Bob Day stated during a press conference that he had no information regarding the events that precipitated the gunfire.
The shooting has sparked outrage among Portland city leaders. Mayor Keith Wilson and the City Council have demanded that ICE suspend all operations within the city until a thorough investigation is completed. Wilson expressed skepticism regarding the federal government’s account of the incident, stating a loss of trust.
City officials condemned what they described as federal “militarization,” arguing it undermines community-based public safety efforts and clashes with the region’s values. They pledged to utilize all available legal and legislative tools to protect the civil and human rights of residents.
Hundreds of protestors gathered at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building Thursday night, demonstrating against the shooting and the presence of federal agents in the city. The demonstration highlighted the already strained relationship between Portland and federal authorities, a dynamic previously tested by a failed attempt to deploy National Guard troops.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has vowed to investigate whether any federal officer acted outside the bounds of their legal authority. Any potential criminal charges will be referred to the prosecutor’s office if the investigation warrants them.
The incident adds fuel to a national debate surrounding the activities of federal immigration enforcement and the tactics employed by agencies like ICE. The Tren de Aragua gang has been repeatedly cited by some as a source of violence and criminal activity in American cities, further complicating the narrative.
