PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A shooting involving federal immigration officers on Thursday has left two individuals injured outside a hospital in Portland, Oregon. The incident occurred just a day after another officer shot and killed a driver in Minnesota, prompting heightened concern and scrutiny regarding federal practices in immigration enforcement.
The FBI’s Portland office has opened an investigation into the shooting, which transpired around 2:15 p.m. Initial reports from the Portland Police Bureau indicated officers responded to a report of gunfire near the hospital. Shortly thereafter, officers located the two wounded individuals a few miles away, confirmed to have sustained injuries from the agent-involved shooting.
The condition of the wounded individuals has not been disclosed, but Portland City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney reported during a meeting that both individuals are alive, expressing hope for positive updates as the day progressed.
The violent encounter sparks tensions in a city that has had an ongoing strained relationship with the federal government, particularly highlighted by recent moves from President Donald Trump to deploy National Guard troops to address unrest.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and the city council have publicly demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement cease all operations in the city pending a thorough investigation into the incident. In a collective statement, city officials condemned the militarization of the federal agents, stating, “We cannot sit by while constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts.” They called the city “not a ‘training ground’ for militarized agents,” asserting that such actions have potentially deadly consequences.
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley also weighed in, urging citizens to remain peaceful amid potential protests, warning against provocations intended to incite unrest. “Trump wants to generate riots. Don't take the bait,” he articulated on the social media platform X.
The Mayor and city officials emphasize the importance of community-based safety measures, asserting their commitment to protect residents' civil liberties and opposing the federal militarization model. As the community grapples with the emotional toll of the shooting, local leaders urge residents to come together peacefully.
