Man, woman shot by federal agent in Portland during ‘targeted’ vehicle stop: Officials

The agent is involved with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, DHS said.

By Trevor Ault, Alex Stone, and Meredith Deliso

January 8, 2026, 6:19 PM

Two people were injured in a shooting involving a federal agent in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, according to authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security said the shooting occurred while Border Patrol agents were conducting a "targeted" stop on a vehicle carrying two people allegedly affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang. The passenger was the target, DHS said.

"When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents," DHS said in a statement.

An agent fired a defensive shot and the driver drove off with the passenger, according to DHS, which called the situation "evolving."

The shooting incident occurred at 2:19 p.m. local time, DHS said.

Portland police officers responding to a call for help found a man and woman with "apparent gunshot wounds," according to the police department.

"Officers confirmed that federal agents had been involved in a shooting," the Portland Police Department said in a statement, adding, "Portland Police were not involved in the incident."

Police officers applied a tourniquet and called for emergency medical personnel, and the two shooting victims were transported to a hospital, police said. Their conditions are unknown, police said.

The shooting occurred some 3 miles away from where the victims were found, on the 10200 block of Southeast Main Street near Adventist Health, a medical office, according to Portland police. The victims then drove themselves to an apartment complex in the area of Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside Street, where the man who had been shot called for help, according to police.

The FBI was seen in video responding to the scene of the shooting. Portland police are assisting, a department spokesperson said.

Portland Police Chief Bob Day urged calm amid "heightened emotion" following a deadly ICE officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

"We are still in the early stages of this incident," Day said in a statement. "We understand the heightened emotion and tension many are feeling in the wake of the shooting in Minneapolis, but I am asking the community to remain calm as we work to learn more."

Minneapolis ICE shooting live updates

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson called the incident "deeply troubling" while also calling on residents to "show up with calm and purpose during this difficult time."

"Portland does not respond to violence with violence," he said in a statement. "We respond with clarity, unity, and a commitment to justice. We must stand together to protect Portland."

Wilson called on ICE to end all operations in Portland pending the completion of a full investigation.

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez told reporters at the scene of the shooting that he is "very concerned."

"We are here from this attorney's office to monitor, to assist and to make sure that there's a thorough and complete investigation, that evidence is fully preserved, and that we're certainly hoping that we can get all of the facts about what transpired," he said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.