On January 8, 2026, a serious incident happened in Portland, Oregon, involving U.S. federal law enforcement agents. During an enforcement action, two people were shot and hurt by federal agents. The event happened in the Hazelwood neighborhood near Adventist Health, which caused a lot of anger in the community, political responses, and an ongoing investigation.
The shooting made things worse in Portland and across the US, where tensions were already high over federal immigration enforcement. City leaders, state officials, community members, and civil rights advocates all spoke out strongly against it.
What Happened in Portland?
According to police reports and official statements:
- Around 2:18 p.m. PST on January 8, Portland police got a call about a shooting involving federal agents in the 10200 block of Southeast Main Street, which is close to the Adventist Health campus.
- The agents, who were from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), were doing a “targeted vehicle stop.”
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the agents thought the people in the car were connected to a Venezuelan gang and that the driver tried to run over the agents, which made one of them shoot in self-defense.
- Portland police found the two injured people, a man and a woman, a few miles away and took them to the hospital with what looked like gunshot wounds. We still don’t know what their current conditions are.
- The Portland police said that the FBI is in charge of the federal investigation.
Reactions in Portland and Beyond
Local Government Response
Keith Wilson, the mayor of Portland, and other city leaders spoke out against the incident and asked that immigration enforcement operations be put on hold until a full independent investigation is done.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said the event was very troubling and asked the federal government to be open and accountable.
Dan Rayfield, the Attorney General of Oregon, also promised to look into the matter closely, saying that Oregonians have a right to know how the force was used.
Community and Protest Reactions
The incident led to protests in Portland, including some outside the local ICE facility. The protesters were angry about federal enforcement actions and what they saw as the militarization of neighborhoods.
The shooting happened after a lot of national debate about immigration policy and enforcement, including a recent incident in Minneapolis with a federal agent.
What Agencies Were Involved?
Early reports talked about federal agents and ICE in general, but later reports made it clear that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was involved in the Portland incident. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in charge of both CBP and ICE, but they have different jobs when it comes to enforcing the law.
The shooting did not involve the police in Portland, and they only showed up after the victims asked for help.
What’s Next: Investigations and Accountability
- The FBI is in charge of the main investigation, with help from local authorities.
- Officials from the state of Oregon stress how important it is to be open and protect civil rights.
- Community leaders have asked for the full release of evidence, such as any body camera or security footage, and for a review of federal operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who was involved in the shooting in Portland?
When the shooting happened, it was reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) federal agents were involved in a targeted stop.
Q2: What made the agents shoot their guns?
Federal officials said that an agent shot because the driver allegedly tried to use the car as a weapon against them.
Q3: Did the police in Portland have anything to do with the shooting?
No, the police in Portland did not take part in the original enforcement action. They came after the shooting and helped.
Q4: What kinds of charges could be brought?
At this point, investigations are still going on. State and federal reviews will look into whether any laws were broken.
Q5: What has the community said or done?
There have been protests, official statements condemning the event, and calls for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations to stop.
Q6: Do we know who the victims are?
Authorities have not yet made public the names of the people involved, and the details of their health are still unknown.
References
- City Leaders Urge Calm and Halt to ICE Operations After Shooting — Portland.gov
https://www.portland.gov/federal/news/2026/1/8/leaders-urge-calm-and-demand-halt-ice-operations-after-federal-agents-shoot - Portland Border Patrol Shooting: Details and Investigation — OPB.org
https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/08/portland-shooting-federal-agents/ - Two Shot by Federal Agent After ‘Targeted’ Stop, Mayor Calls for ICE Pause — Good Morning America
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/2-shot-federal-agents-portland-sources-129038573 - Federal Agents Shoot Two in Portland, Police Say — ABC7 Los Angeles
https://abc7.com/18374448/ - Oregon Attorney General Demands Transparency After Shooting — Oregon DOJ
https://www.doj.state.or.us/media-home/news-media-releases/ag-rayfield-statement-on-shooting-involving-federal-agents/ - Reuters / KATU Local News Coverage of the Incident — cited above in news carousel.
