PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — On Thursday, federal immigration officers shot and wounded two individuals in a vehicle outside Adventist Health hospital in Portland, Oregon. This incident occurred just a day after an officer fatally shot a driver in Minnesota. The shootings have intensified scrutiny on the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and have provoked significant public outcry.
The Oregon Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, announced plans to investigate whether any federal officers acted beyond their legal authority during this incident. He also indicated that criminal charges could be referred to the prosecutor’s office if warranted. The Department of Homeland Security described the injured passenger as "a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring," asserting that he had been involved in a recent shooting in Portland. According to their statement, when agents attempted a "targeted vehicle stop," the driver allegedly attempted to run them over, prompting an agent to fire a defensive shot.
However, independent verification of these claims is lacking. In previous shootings involving immigration enforcement, video evidence has contradicted official narratives about the incidents. President Donald Trump and his administration have routinely blamed gangs like Tren de Aragua for rising violence and drug-related issues in U.S. cities, contributing to the controversial climate surrounding immigration enforcement practices.
The outcry in Portland follows a history of conflict between the city and Trump's administration, particularly concerning the deployment of militarized personnel for immigration enforcement. Protests against ICE operations have been a regular occurrence, especially following calls for increased enforcement measures under Trump.
The Portland Police Bureau responded to reports of a shooting outside the hospital around 2:18 p.m. Officers later learned that two individuals—an injured man and woman—had sought help in a nearby residential area, establishing that they were victims of the shooting involving federal agents. Their conditions remained unknown, but officials confirmed that one was treated with a tourniquet at the scene.
During a news conference, Portland Police Chief Bob Day stated that the FBI would lead the investigation into the shooting but did not provide details on the incident's circumstances. In response, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and the city council collectively called for ICE to suspend all operations in the city until a thorough investigation has been completed. Their joint statement emphasized a commitment to protecting residents' civil rights and denounced federal militarization as detrimental to community safety.
Mayor Wilson expressed skepticism about the federal government's account of the shooting, stating that the trust previously extended to their reports has eroded. Meanwhile, Democratic State Senator Kayse Jama, who resides near the shooting location, publicly demanded that federal agents vacate Oregon. He asserted, "You are not welcome here." City officials expressed their intention to utilize every legal measure necessary to safeguard the community amid ongoing tensions.
Throughout the evening, dozens gathered at the scene of the shooting to seek answers, while U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley urged protesters to remain calm and peaceful, cautioning against provoking unrest. He cautioned that Trump may seek to incite riots, urging public restraint in responses to these volatile circumstances.
