U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Portland, Oregon shoot a husband and wife linked to Venezuelan gang ‘Tren de Aragua’ wanted for sex trafficking after attempting to use their vehicle to allegedly run over agents.
Portland, Oregon officials have confirmed two people, a man and a woman, being shot by Federal law enforcement agents Thursday afternoon in East Portland.
Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers responded to Southeast Main Street near I-205, the location of Adventist Health Portland, for a report of the shooting at 2:18 p.m. Officers confirmed at the scene that federal agents were involved in the shooting, which happened in the hospital parking lot.
A city of Portland release indicated U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers being involved in the shooting in the Hazelwood neighborhood. The agency is an adjunct of US Homeland Security.
Vehicle tracked as part of Venezuelan gang activity attempts to weaponize against federal agents
The release stressed that the agency involved wasn’t affiliated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE who have been conducting raids for illegal immigrants across the U.S since late last year. Portland Police were not involved in the incident the release stated.
More details were forthcoming following a release from Homeland Security which stated:
‘At 2:19 PST, US Border Patrol agents were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in Portland, Oregon. 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. The vehicle driver is believed to be a member of the vicious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents. Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene. This situation is evolving and more information is forthcoming.’
At 2:24 p.m., police learned that a man who had been shot was calling to request help near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside. Portland police officers responded and found a man and a woman with apparent gunshot wounds according to KATU.
Police said they applied a tourniquet and called for emergency medical help. Both patients were taken to the hospital, and PPB said their conditions are unknown. Police confirmed they were connected to the shooting involving federal agents.
🚨#BREAKING 🚨: Two Venezuelan gang members shot by CBP agents after trying to run them over with a vehicle in #Portland. These are the types of people #democrats @RoyCooperNC and @NC_Governor Josh Stein do their best to protect at our expense. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/HpgpvzjZvR
— Please Not Roy (@PleaseNotRoy) January 9, 2026
Portland officials respond to federal involved agents shooting
Police have secured both scenes for an investigation. East Burnside is closed westbound between Northeast 145th Avenue and 148th Avenue.
‘We are still in the early stages of this incident,’ said PPB Chief Bob Day. ‘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.’
FBI agents could be seen Thursday afternoon at the scene on East Burnside, where Portland police found the two injured people.
The incident Thursday happened to coincide with a protest against ICE happening downtown. Demonstrators planned to go up to Mayor Keith Wilson‘s office at city hall to demand he revoke the permit for the ICE facility in Portland, spurred on by the agency’s recent deadly shooting of a woman in Minneapolis.
The shooting came as the Portland city council was in the middle of its proceedings, which abruptly came to an end as councilors learned about what happened.
Mayor Keith Wilson ceased the meeting and put out a statement, saying in part:
‘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.
‘Federal militarization undermines effective, community‑based public safety, and it runs counter to the values that define our region. I will use every legal and legislative tool available to protect our residents’ civil and human rights.
‘I call on every Portlander to represent our values and to show up with calm and purpose during this difficult time. Portland does not respond to violence with violence. We respond with clarity, unity, and a commitment to justice. We must stand together to protect Portland.’
