Credited from: LATIMES
Two individuals, a man and a woman, were shot by federal agents in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, according to local police. The shooting happened around 2:15 p.m., and both victims were hospitalized, though their conditions remain unknown. The incident involved agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection who were conducting a targeted vehicle stop related to an alleged Venezuelan gang member, prompting the agents to fire in response to an attempted assault. This is part of ongoing operations under the Department of Homeland Security, which include both Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, according to ABC News, CBS News, and LA Times.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day urged the community to remain calm as they investigate, acknowledging the "heightened emotion and tension" stemming from a recent shooting in Minneapolis that left a woman dead. The police had clarified that they were not involved in the shooting incident themselves, receiving reports after the fact. Mayor Keith Wilson echoed concerns about federal actions, stating that "we cannot sit by while constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts," and he demanded a halt to federal operations in the city until an investigation is complete, as reported by BBC and SCMP.
The incident follows significant protests across the United States against federal law enforcement's increasing militarization, leading to concerns among community leaders about the safety and rights of civilians. Since the fatal shooting in Minneapolis by an ICE officer, local leaders have emphasized the need for peaceful protests and community cohesion, warning against the escalation of tensions connected to federal enforcement actions. This sentiment was echoed by officials including U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, as mentioned by India Times and Al Jazeera.