Federal immigration agents shoot two people in Portland, Mayor calls ICE to exit his city

PORTLAND, OREGON: Portland Police confirmed in a press release on Thursday, January 8, that Federal immigration agents shot and injured two people in the city.

As per the statement on the department’s website, Portland Police officers responded to 'a report of a shooting' at 2:18 PM PT, and the officers 'confirmed that federal agents had been involved in a shooting.'

PPB Chief asks community to 'remain calm'

The statement by the Portland Police mentioned that 'Portland Police were not involved in the incident'. The department mentioned, "At 2:24 p.m., officers received information that a man who had been shot was calling and requesting help in the area of Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside."

"Officers responded and found a male and female, with apparent gunshot wounds. Officers applied a tourniquet and summoned emergency medical personnel. The patients were transported to the hospital. Their conditions are unknown. Officers have determined the two people were injured in the shooting involving federal agents," the statement added.

Meanwhile, PPB Chief Bob Day said, "We are still in the early stages of this incident. 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." 

The PPB Chief was referring to the fatal shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent on Wednesday, January 7.

ABC News affiliate KATUS reported that the FBI 'is responding and has opened an investigation' and that their sources had said 'the agents involved are with US Customs and Border Protection, not ICE.'

A report by The Oregonian mentioned that police sources said the two people who were shot were 'believed to be a married couple', adding, "One was shot in the leg and the other in the chest." 

The report cited a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson who said 'agents were trying to make a traffic stop and characterized the shooting as self-defense', but 'didn’t release any names.'

Portland Mayor condemns shooting incident

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson issued a statement to the Portland Tribune, where he condemned the shooting and called on ICE to exit his city until an investigation could be completed.

Wilson said in a statement regarding the Hazelwood neighborhood shooting, "We cannot sit by while constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts. Portland is not a ‘training ground’ for militarized agents, and the ‘full force’ threatened by the administration has deadly consequences."

"As Mayor, I call on ICE to end all operations in Portland until a full investigation can be completed," he added.

Meanwhile, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield posted a statement on X saying that he was 'deeply troubled' by the reports of the shooting, adding that his office 'is closely monitoring this situation and will take appropriate action to protect the rights and safety of Oregonians as more facts come to light.'

"We have been clear about our concerns with the excessive use of force by federal agents in Portland, and today’s incident only heightens the need for transparency and accountability. Oregonians deserve clear answers when people are injured in their neighborhoods," the statement mentioned.