Two Injured In Federal Agent Shooting In Portland: Police

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- US federal immigration enforcement agents shot two people in the US state of Oregon on Thursday, according to local police.

According to Anadolu Ajansi, Portland police officers confirmed that federal agents were involved in the shooting.

“At 2:24 pm, officers received information that a man who had been shot was calling and requesting help in the area of Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside. Officers responded and found a male and female with apparent gunshot wounds,” police said in a statement, which added that Portland police were “not involved.”

Those injured were taken to hospital, with their conditions unknown, according to police.

“We are still in the early stages of this incident,” Chief Bob Day said in the statement. “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,” he added.

Day was referring to Renee Nicole Good, 37, who was shot dead on Wednesday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during an enforcement operation in the US state of Minnesota.

Meanwhile, the FBI said it is conducting an investigation into the Portland shooting.

The Department of Homeland Security said border patrol agents were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in Portland at 2.19 pm local time.

“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,” it said in a statement.

When agents identified themselves to the occupants, the driver allegedly “weaponised” the vehicle and attempted to run over law enforcement personnel.

“Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene,” it said.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson condemned the shooting in the Hazelwood neighbourhood, calling it “deeply troubling.”

“We cannot sit by while constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts. Portland is not a ‘training ground’ for militarised agents, and the ‘full force’ threatened by the administration has deadly consequences,” Wilson said.

He demanded that ICE end all operations in Portland until a full investigation can be completed.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU