Both individuals were transported to a local hospital; their conditions were not released. DHS said preliminary information indicates that each has ties to Tren de Aragua, but the agency cautioned that the investigation is still in its early stages and details could change.
Hours after the shooting, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced that the state Department of Justice will examine whether any federal personnel “acted outside the scope of their lawful authority.” His office said the inquiry will include interviews with witnesses, review of body-worn and dashboard camera footage, and analysis of other available video evidence.
At a press briefing, Portland Police Chief Bob Day said city officers were not involved in the stop and are assisting federal and state investigators. “We do not yet know the complete set of facts,” Day told reporters, urging residents to remain calm during what he called a “heightened” moment following a separate, fatal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting in Minneapolis one day earlier.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson also addressed the public, labeling the episode “deeply troubling” and calling for an immediate pause on local immigration-enforcement actions until an independent review is complete. “Our community deserves answers,” Wilson said.
Speaking alongside city officials, Governor Tina Kotek pressed Washington for full cooperation. “The priority is a thorough investigation, not additional detentions,” Kotek said, demanding transparency from federal agencies involved in the operation.
Demonstrations began in Portland by evening, with protesters gathering outside an ICE facility. Portland Police reported that officers using a loudspeaker directed the crowd to clear the roadway around 9 p.m. Six people were subsequently arrested on allegations ranging from disorderly conduct to interfering with a peace officer, authorities said.
Imagem: Internet
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez visited the shooting scene earlier in the day. He stated his office is monitoring evidence collection to “ensure a thorough and complete investigation.”
The Portland case closely follows an ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis on 7 January, where an officer fatally shot a woman during a traffic stop. In both incidents, federal officials asserted that agents fired after the drivers allegedly attempted to ram them. The proximity of the two events has fueled public concern over the deployment of federal officers in local jurisdictions.
Federal immigration enforcement operations in Oregon have been part of broader efforts targeting suspected gang activity. Background on those programs is available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Investigators in Portland have not released the names or ages of the wounded driver and passenger pending confirmation of identities and notification of relatives. Authorities also declined to comment on whether either individual was armed or connected to previous violent incidents.
As of early Friday, DHS had not disclosed the identity of the agent who fired or indicated whether that person had been placed on administrative leave, a standard practice in officer-involved shootings. CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the FBI are collaborating with state and local agencies as evidence review proceeds.
The Oregon Department of Justice said no timeline has been established for the completion of its probe, but findings will be forwarded to the Multnomah County District Attorney for any potential charging decisions. Officials pledged regular public updates as information becomes available.
Crédito da imagem: Jenny Kane / AP
