Two Wounded in Shooting Involving Federal Agents in Portland: What It Means for the City and the Wider Immigration Debate
Two people were injured during a shootout involving US Federal agents located in Portland, Oregon, say officials.
The police department in the city stated in a statement that a male and woman were admitted to a hospital, and that their condition was not known.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the incident took place in the local time of 14:19 (22:19 GMT) with the traffic stopping of an Venezuelan group member whom “attempted to run over” agents with his vehicle.
The incident happened one day following the death of an federal agent was fatally shot by an individual in Minneapolis and sparked protests across all over the US in opposition to federal police activities across US cities.
“The passenger of the vehicle and target is a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and involved in a recent shooting in Portland,” DHS stated in a statement that was posted on X.
“When agents recognized their vehicles with passengers, the driver armed his vehicle in an attempt to speed up the police officers.
“Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene.”
Portland Police said in their own statements that their officers weren’t directly involved in this incident and were contacted to investigate reports of shootings.
The two victims killed have not been identified by police, but they were found a few blocks away from the scene that the incident took place.
“Officers applied a tourniquet and summoned emergency medical personnel,” before transferring them to the hospital, the report stated, noting it said that “their conditions are unknown”.
US media have quoted police sources saying that the couple who were killed were a married couple.
Portland District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, speaking from the scene of the shooting informed reporters that he was there “to monitor, to assist, and to make sure that there’s a thorough and complete investigation”.
He promised to ensure “that evidence is fully preserved and that – we’re certainly hoping – that we can get all of the facts about what transpired here today”.
The comments came after officials from Minnesota have announced that the FBI will not involve local investigators in the investigation regarding the shooting death this week of Renee Nicole Good who was shot by officers alleged that she attempted to run over police officers.
“We are still in the early stages of this incident,” said Portland Police Chief Bob Day on Thursday.
“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.”
He announced at a press conference afterwards that an probe into what transpired in the Hazelwood neighborhood was led by FBI.
Portland City Mayor Keith Wilson, a Democrat has called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to stop all operations in the city, pending an investigation.
“We know what the federal government says happened here,” said the official. “There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time is long past.”
He said: “The administration is trying to divide us, to pit communities against each other. Portland, this is a moment to hold each other close.”
Portland was the location of massive anti-Trump demonstrations during the last few years.
On Wednesday night Portland police detained one protester, who was charged with menacing after police found the suspect threatening another with knives.
Lew Frederick Lew Frederick, Lew Frederick, a Democratic state senator has told the BBC that the local authorities should be included in the inquiry into the shooting on Thursday in order to ensure that “the community isn’t going to trust that those results aren’t impartial”.
“It’s been clear for many weeks that there has been tensions increasing, and tense situations on the street,” the mayor stated, referring to the ongoing protests throughout the city in protest against protests against the Trump administration.
“And unfortunately, I do think, the, the resulting tragedy that occurred was foreseeable.”
