DHS: CBP Agents Shot Two Tren de Aragua Members in Portland After They Tried to Run Them Over (Updated)

This article reviews what is known about a Thursday incident in Portland where U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents shot two people during a vehicle stop, the evolving official statements, and reported context about alleged gang ties and an attempted vehicle attack on agents.

Local outlets reported that two people were wounded by gunfire earlier in the afternoon in Portland, Oregon, after a vehicle stop involving federal agents. Initial details were sparse, and authorities released limited information as multiple agencies, including the FBI and Portland police, became involved.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents shot two people in Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the FBI, Portland police and city officials.” That line circulated in early reports as officials confirmed federal agents participated in the incident. Portland police later said officers were alerted when a man who had been shot called for help near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside.

Arriving officers found a man and a woman with apparent gunshot wounds and confirmed federal agents were involved in the situation. The police Chief urged calm while investigators worked to piece together what happened, stressing this was an unfolding incident. “We are still in the early stages of this incident,” the chief said in a statement, adding the community should remain calm as more information emerges.

The Portland FBI initially shared details via social media, but the post was removed as investigations continued and agencies coordinated on public messaging. Media and local observers noted heightened sensitivity because a separate deadly encounter involving immigration enforcement occurred in Minneapolis the day before. Officials warned emotions were running high regionally, which complicated responses and community reactions to the Portland event.

Reporter accounts and social media posts suggested the stop involved a vehicle and that Border Patrol agents may have reported being nearly struck by the vehicle. As one account put it: “Anti-ICE accounts have circulated screenshots alleging that a 911 dispatcher leaked to them information about a call for police assistance.” Those circulating screenshots allege a 911 call described the couple as having “almost ran the agent(s) over” during a confrontation.

“The call log also shows a 911 call from Border Patrol stated that a husband and wife who were shot almost ran the agent(s) over. ABC News is reporting that the shooting occurred near East Burnside and 141st Avenue.” Those lines summarize what has been shared publicly by journalists tracking the scene, though some details remain unverified. Investigators have not confirmed every claim from circulating posts, and law enforcement asked the public to let the formal inquiry proceed.

Officials have not publicly disclosed the medical condition of the two who were shot, and no arrests were immediately announced in the early accounting of events. Detectives from multiple agencies began canvassing the area and collecting witness statements to determine sequence of events and whether the use of deadly force followed agency policy and legal standards.

Portland has seen months of anti-ICE demonstrations and recurring clashes involving agitators, local police, and federal agents, creating an environment where encounters at traffic stops can escalate quickly. Those dynamics contributed to local concern and rapid public attention when federal agents were confirmed as having fired shots in the city.

UPDATE: DHS released a statement identifying the two who were shot as members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The department said: “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 Portland. The vehicle driver is believed to be a member of the vicious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents.”

The DHS statement continued: “Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene.” That official description frames the shooting as a defensive action taken after an alleged vehicle attack on agents, and it signaled federal investigators would follow up to verify and document the incident.

Authorities emphasized the situation remains under active investigation and more details will come as agencies complete interviews, review potential body-worn or dash camera footage, and process forensic evidence. Meanwhile, community leaders and law enforcement officials asked for patience as the formal review determines whether protocols were followed and what charges, if any, are appropriate.

This remains a developing story with competing accounts and limited public records available at this hour. Journalists and officials are expected to release additional updates as the investigation proceeds and as medical information about the two wounded people becomes available.