Married couple shot in Portland by US federal agents a day after Minnesota killing

Amid Trump’s crackdown on immigration, two people have been wounded in a shooting involving US federal agents in Portland, Oregon. On Thursday, the city’s police department said in a statement that a man and a woman had been rushed to the hospital, and their condition remains unknown.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also shared details of the incident and noted that the incident took place at 14:19 (local time) with the traffic stop of a Venezuelan gang member, who “attempted to run over” agents with his car. It is pertinent to note that the incident came a day after a federal agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, triggering protests around the US against federal law enforcement operations in American 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 said in a statement posted on X.

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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…

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 9, 2026

“When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponised 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,” he added.

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Meanwhile, the Portland Police said in their own statement that their officers were not involved in the incident and were called only after receiving the reports of the shooting. The two people who were shot have not been identified, and police said that they were discovered several blocks from the scene of the shooting.

“Officers applied a tourniquet and summoned emergency medical personnel,” before they were taken to the hospital, the statement said, adding that “their conditions are unknown”. The American media outlets have been citing police sources to report that the man and woman, who were shot, were a married couple.

While speaking to the reporters from the site of the shooting, Portland District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said that he was there “to monitor, to assist, and to make sure that there’s a thorough and complete investigation”. He vowed 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”.

Vasquez’s remarks came shortly after officials in Minnesota announced that the FBI would not include local investigators in their probe of the death on Wednesday of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot after officers alleged she attempted to run over agents.

However, Portland police believe that it is too early to determine a similar outcome. “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.” Day told a news conference later that the investigation into the incident in the Hazelwood neighbourhood was being led by the FBI.