Two Wounded in Shooting Involving U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent in East Portland
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Two people are hospitalized following a shooting in East Portland on Thursday, January 8, 2026, involving a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent. The incident, which occurred near the 10000 block of Main Street, is currently under investigation by the FBI and the Portland Police Bureau.
Shooting Prompts Investigation and Political Fallout
The shooting unfolded around 2:15 p.m., prompting a significant law enforcement response and a flurry of statements from local and national leaders. The FBI initially described the investigation as “active and ongoing” in a statement posted to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, though the post was subsequently deleted. Authorities confirmed the information remained accurate despite its removal.
The incident comes less than 24 hours after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, an event that has already sparked protests across the country. This proximity has heightened tensions and fueled concerns about the use of federal force.
Local Leaders Condemn Incident, Demand Answers
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson issued a strong statement, characterizing the shooting as a “deeply troubling incident.” “We cannot sit by while constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts,” Wilson said. “Portland is not a ‘training ground’ for militarized agents, and the ‘full force’ threatened by the administration has deadly consequences.” The mayor has called for ICE to halt all operations in Portland pending a thorough investigation.
City Councilors representing District 1 – Candace Avalos, Jamie Dunphy, and Loretta Smith – echoed the mayor’s concerns, stating the shooting involved “two of our East Portland neighbors.” They acknowledged the need for more information but emphasized that the incident was “part of a pattern of violence that we have seen too many times across our country.” The councilors pledged to continue advocating for the safety of Portland residents and opposing aggressive immigration enforcement.
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats representing Oregon, also weighed in on the situation. Senator Wyden, in a social media post, directly linked the shooting to the deployment of federal agents, stating, “Trump’s deployment of federal agents in my hometown is clearly inflaming violence — and must end.”
City Council Recesses Amidst Breaking News
The shooting occurred while Portland City Council was in session. The meeting was abruptly recessed by Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney, who stated, “Councilors, we actually need to recess immediately.” City staff directed all councilors to return to their offices. Councilor Sameer Kamal later shared on Bluesky that “Everyone is okay at City Hall right now. More will be shared asap.” The council reconvened briefly before adjourning until next week, citing the gravity of the situation and the ongoing investigation.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau. The condition of the two individuals who were shot remains unknown at this time. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
