Two people have been wounded in a shooting involving US federal agents in Portland, Oregon, officials confirmed, as tensions rise over federal law enforcement operations in major US cities.

Portland Police said a man and a woman were taken to the hospital following the incident. Their current conditions remain unknown. The shooting took place around 14:19 local time (22:19 GMT) during a traffic stop targeting a Venezuelan gang member, identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as affiliated with the Tren de Aragua criminal network, involved in a recent local shooting.

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Federal Agency Account

According to DHS, when agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver allegedly “weaponized his car” and attempted to run over law enforcement agents. Fearing for their lives, an agent fired a defensive shot, after which the vehicle fled the scene with the passenger inside.

The DHS described the passenger as a Venezuelan illegal alien connected to the Tren de Aragua gang, highlighting ongoing concerns about transnational organized crime operating in US cities.

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Local Police and Community Response

Portland Police clarified that their officers were not involved in the shooting. Responding officers found the two wounded several blocks from the scene and applied tourniquets before summoning emergency medical personnel. Local sources suggest that the man and woman were a married couple, although their identities have not been officially released.

Portland Police Chief Bob Day stressed that the investigation is being led by the FBI, urging residents to remain calm. “We understand the heightened emotion and tension following recent federal incidents, but we ask the community to remain patient as the investigation unfolds,” he said.

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Local Government Calls for Action

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, a Democrat, called for ICE operations to be suspended in the city pending a full investigation. He criticized federal messaging, stating, “There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time is long past. This is a moment for Portland to stand together.”

Portland District Attorney Nathan Vasquez also visited the scene, promising a thorough review of the shooting to ensure that all evidence is preserved and that the facts are fully established.

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Broader Context: Rising Tensions in US Cities

The incident comes one day after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, which triggered nationwide protests and debates over federal law enforcement powers. The Minneapolis case has been controversial, as the FBI blocked local investigators from accessing the probe, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Portland has a history of anti-Trump protests and community activism against federal law enforcement, contributing to heightened public scrutiny of ICE operations. State Senator Lew Frederick emphasized the importance of local involvement in federal investigations, warning that exclusion could erode public trust.

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Key Takeaways

• Two people were shot and hospitalized after a traffic stop involving federal agents in Portland.
• DHS claims the driver attempted to run over agents, prompting defensive gunfire.
• The FBI is leading the investigation, with local authorities and community leaders calling for transparency.
• Portland Mayor and local officials urge a temporary halt to ICE operations amid rising public tension.
• The incident reflects broader national concerns over ICE, federal authority, and public safety in US cities.