Federal Agents Shoot Two in Portland

BREAKING: Federal agents shoot two people in Portland, investigation underway

Two people were shot and wounded by federal agents in Portland today. A man and a woman were struck by gunfire. Their names and conditions have not been released. I can confirm federal involvement. Early indications point to U.S. Border Patrol agents on the scene. What led up to the shooting is still unclear.

The area is secure. Multiple agencies are now involved. I will update as new facts are confirmed.

What we know, and what we do not

Here is what I can confirm right now:

• Two civilians, a man and a woman, were shot by federal agents in Portland.
• Both were wounded. Officials have not shared their conditions.
• Investigators have not released the reason for the use of force.
• The scene is under active review by multiple agencies.

Key unknowns remain:

• The events that led to the shots being fired.
• The precise federal unit and the names of agents involved.
• Whether any video, including body camera video, exists.
• Whether local police officers were present before or during the shooting.

Who investigates when federal agents use force

When federal agents fire their weapons inside a city, several layers of oversight are triggered. Local police secure the scene and document evidence. They do not always lead the probe when federal personnel are involved.

Within the federal system, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General may open a case if Border Patrol agents were involved. The FBI often reviews shootings that raise potential civil rights concerns. The U.S. Attorney’s Office evaluates whether federal charges are warranted. The Multnomah County District Attorney may also review the facts for any state law issues.

Expect interviews, collection of shell casings, mapping of trajectories, and searches for video. Investigators will look for surveillance footage and bystander recordings. They will take sworn statements. They will test firearms and review radio traffic and dispatch logs.

The law that will shape this case

Any use of force by law enforcement is judged by reasonableness. That standard comes from the Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor. The key question is what a reasonable officer would have done in that moment, based on what the officer knew then.

If deadly force was used, another Supreme Court case also matters. In Tennessee v. Garner, the Court said officers may use deadly force only if there is an immediate threat of death or serious harm. These rules apply to federal agents as well as local police. Oregon state law adds reporting and accountability duties, but it cannot lower federal constitutional standards.

If the agents wore body cameras, that footage will be central. Some federal units now use body cameras, but policies vary. Public release policies also differ. Portland requires transparency from its police, but those city rules do not bind federal agencies.

Transparency, records, and what citizens can do

Public trust depends on fast, accurate facts. Today, that means prompt briefings and timely release of basic details. Names of involved personnel are often withheld at first for safety. Footage, if it exists, is usually reviewed before release. Dispatch audio and reports can take days or weeks.

You can seek records while the investigation proceeds:

• File a Freedom of Information Act request with DHS for federal records.
• File an Oregon public records request for 911 audio and local reports.
• Save any video you filmed. Keep original files and metadata.
• If you witnessed the shooting, write down what you saw while it is fresh.

Citizen rights at the scene

If you are near an active investigation, you may be stopped and asked questions. You can ask if you are free to leave. If the answer is yes, you may walk away. If the answer is no, you are being detained. You can remain silent and ask for a lawyer.

Officers may set a perimeter and restrict access for safety. Obey lawful orders to move. You can still record from a public spot where you are allowed to stand. Do not cross police tape. Do not block medics or investigators. ⚖️

What comes next

In the next 24 to 72 hours, expect initial statements from both local and federal officials. Expect a basic timeline and the identification of the federal agency involved. More details should follow, including whether video exists and whether any weapons were recovered.

This is a serious moment for Portland. A federal shooting inside city limits raises hard legal questions and urgent civic concerns. I will keep pressing for clarity on who fired, why they fired, and how the law will judge those choices. The public deserves clear answers, and a full, fair accounting.