Jan. 9 (UPI) — The Oregon Department of Justice is launching a formal investigation into the shooting of two people in Portland by federal immigration officers, the state’s top cop announced late Thursday, amid growing concerns over their use of force following the death of a 37-year-old woman earlier this week.
Dan Rayfield, the state’s Democratic attorney general, announced the probe hours after Customs and Border Protection shot the two individuals.
“We have been clear about our concerns with excessive use of force by federal agents in Portland and nationally,” Rayfield said in a statement.
“Today’s incident only heightens the need for transparency and accountability. Our office will take every step necessary to ensure that the rights and security of Oregonians are protected.”
According to a statement from the Portland Police Department, the shooting was reported in the 10200 block of Southeast Main Street involving federal agents about 2:18 p.m. PST Thursday. Six minutes later, one of the victims called police requesting help.
Officers arrived to the scene to find a man and woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers applied a tourniquet, and the two were transported to a local hospital. Their conditions remain unknown.
Police then learned that the two were shot in the initial incident.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day told reporters during a Thursday night press conference that they do not know which federal agencies were involved in the shooting.
“I’m saddened that we are here once again in a difficult, challenging, complex situation,” he said.
“The uncertainty and the fear and the sadness within our community is real. And as a chief law enforcement for the city of Portland, I recognize that. Our members recognize that. And we are doing everything in our power to maintain that level of peace and calm and safety.”
President Donald Trump increased the presence of federal law enforcement agents to the state of Oregon and the city of Portland in the fall as part of his immigration crackdown despite protest from local officials.
Trump sought to deploy National Guard troops for Portland, claiming the city was “war ravaged” and its Immigration and Customs Facilities were allegedly under attack by Antifa, but effort was blocked by the courts.
The Department of Homeland Security said the agents involved were with U.S. Border Patrol and at least one of the two people shot was a member of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization.
The agents were conducting a “targeted” vehicle stop in the city, according to the agency, which said the passenger of the vehicle was a “Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring” and had been involved in a recent Portland shooting.
“When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents,” DHS said in a statement.
“Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene.”
The shooting comes a day after federal agents in Minneapolis shot and killed a 37-year-old mother of three whom the Trump administration accuses of being a domestic terrorist who “weaponized” her vehicle to try and run over an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, who shot in self-defense.
Democrats and state and local officials have challenged the Trump administration’s characterization of the shooting, saying the involved officer was not facing an imminent threat and that the shooting of Renee Nicole Good was unlawful.
The Portland shooting coming on the heels of Good’s death has heightened anger directed at the Trump administration as well as concerns about escalating violence and federal agents using excess force amid protests. The Trump administration’s description of the Minneapolis shooting has prompted some officials to question its account.
“Just one day after the horrific violence in Minnesota, our community here in Portland was witnessed to a moment of fear, confusion and heartbreak,” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said during the press conference.
“We know what the federal government says happened. There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time is long past.”
Because of the lack of confidence, Portland is calling on ICE to halt all operations until a full investigation can be conducted, he said.
“Our community deserves answers. Our community deserves peace,” he said.