U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents shot and wounded two people in Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the FBI, Portland police, and city officials.
Portland police said their officers were called to 102nd and Southeast Main Street at about 2:20 p.m., where they said they confirmed federal agents were involved in a shooting. They said they were not involved in the shooting.
The condition of the two people who were shot wasn’t immediately known but Portland City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney said as far as she knew they were still alive.
Portland police said at a 2:24 p.m., (5:24 Eastern US Time) they had learned that a man who had been shot called to request help near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside. Arriving officers found a man and a woman wounded from apparent gunshot wounds. Police confirmed federal agents were involved.
The two people who were wounded were taken to the hospital.
In a post on X, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents were conducting a traffic stop when its agents opened fire in self-defense.
"When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents. Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene," DHS said.
It said the passenger in the vehicle was from Venezuela and illegally in the United States and affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring. DHS said the person had also been involved in a shooting in Portland.
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
