An incident involving federal immigration agents left two people injured Thursday afternoon in East Portland, prompting a multi-agency investigation and renewed concern from city leaders.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, officers were dispatched just after 2:15 p.m. to Southeast Main Street near Interstate 205 following reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they confirmed that federal agents were involved.
Minutes later, police learned that a man who had been shot was calling for help from another location near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside. Officers responding to that area found both a man and a woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Police applied emergency medical aid, including a tourniquet, before both victims were transported to a nearby hospital. Their conditions were not immediately released.
Authorities secured both scenes as part of the investigation, closing portions of East Burnside between Northeast 145th and 148th avenues while officers and federal agents worked the area. Investigators were later seen examining a damaged vehicle at one of the locations.
BREAKING: Portland City Councilmember Jamie Dunphy reacts to news that two people were shot by federal agents in Portland Thursday afternoon.
“This is unacceptable. This is horrible.”
More on this breaking story here: https://t.co/19x5KE9XwS pic.twitter.com/AsplLMnapf— KATU News (@KATUNews) January 9, 2026Do you love Oregon?
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed it is the lead agency investigating what it described as an agent-involved shooting connected to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. A brief social media post acknowledging the investigation was later removed, though officials reiterated that two people had been wounded.
The shooting occurred during an already tense moment nationally and locally. Just one day earlier, federal immigration agents were involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, an incident that drew widespread attention and criticism. In Portland, the East Portland shooting also coincided with a downtown protest focused on federal immigration enforcement.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson addressed the incident in a statement later Thursday, calling it deeply troubling and urging federal immigration authorities to pause operations in the city while the investigation continues. He emphasized the importance of protecting civil rights and asked Portlanders to remain calm and unified as more information becomes available.
City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney also abruptly recessed a council meeting Thursday afternoon as news of the shooting spread, underscoring how quickly the situation impacted city operations.
Officials stressed that the investigation remains in its early stages. Police leadership acknowledged the heightened emotions surrounding the incident and asked the community for patience as investigators work to determine exactly what led up to the shooting.
As of Thursday evening, no arrests or additional details about the circumstances had been released. Authorities say updates will be shared as more information is confirmed.
