Federal Officers Interrupt Nurse-led Candlelight Vigil for Alex Pretti in Eugene with Chemical Munitions
Update(s):
1/28/2026 2:30 p.m.: We have added the known names of journalists who were hit by munitions.
1/29/2026 8:50 a.m.: Two additional reports of journalists hit or affected by munitions were added.
1/29/2026 3:00 p.m.: Two additional reports of journalists hit or affected by munitions were added.
On the evening of Jan. 27, Department of Homeland Security officers exited the Old Federal Building in Downtown Eugene and violently surged hundreds of people—including elders and minors—attending an Oregon Nurses Association-organized candlelight vigil for slain Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti with flashbangs, PepperBalls, FN303 rounds, and tear gas.
Earlier in the day, the weekly interfaith “Singing for our Lives” anti-ICE protest was held. The Daily Emerald reported no fewer than three detainments.
One detainee, Anna Lardner, reported to the Daily Emerald that agents threatened to tase her, did not read her Miranda Rights, and that there was not a single female agent available to do an invasive search. Lardner told Lookout Eugene-Springfield that, “she had been detained on three charges, including interfering or disrupting a federal officer, violating an order and trespassing, which she disputed.”
DHS’ main choice of “less lethal” weapons during the afternoon was its PepperBalls, FN303 rounds, and pepper spray. Their actions were limited, however, due to a temporary restraining order, granted by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken, that prohibits the agency from taking action against “loud and unusual noise” on the sidewalk. Ironically, the TRO is the result of a previous lawsuit filed by two protesters, including Lardner, who was detained. DSM photographer Robert Scherle was hit with LIVE-X PepperBall rounds, FN303 rounds with PAVA/OC powder, and mace.
Agents notably aimed rounds upwards when protesters were underneath the building’s overhead walkway so the chemical irritants would rain down on the crowd.
The afternoon was only a light precursor of what was to come once it got dark. By 5 p.m., protesters had gathered at the front doors of the Old Federal Building as the nurse-led vigil on the courtyard steps began. Several local officials were in attendance and gave speeches, including Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson, Rep. Lisa Fragala, and Springfield Councilor Kori Rodley. President pro tempore of the Oregon State Senate James Manning was also in attendance.
From the roof, at least one agent watched the crowd below and was targeted with flashing lights and a laser.
DHS first threatened the crowd with arrest just after 6 p.m. after protesters began to bang on the entrance doors. Around 50 minutes later, around two dozen agents exited the building and immediately deployed flashbangs before targeting the crowd with 40mm CS Skat Shells, CS Pocket Tactical Grenades, LIVE-X PepperBalls, and PAVA/OC FN-303 rounds, forcing protesters off of federal property.
At least nine journalists—including Agostinho Da Silva from The Torch and Photo Editor Saj Sundaram, News Editor Reilly Norgren, and Senior News Reporters Sasha Love and Corey Hoffman with the Daily Emerald—were struck despite identifying themselves as press. According to the Eugene Weekly‘s reporting, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications professor Dan Morrison was affected by the tear gas. Two journalists with the Eugene Weekly—Eve Weston and Kat Tabor—were also struck by munitions.
Tear gas was deployed once protesters were forced out of the Old Federal Building’s courtyard and onto the sidewalk and street at the corner of OR-126 and Pearl Street.
Agents continued to deploy munitions after protesters had left the courtyard.
Confirmed spent munitions used include the aforementioned LIVE-X PepperBalls and PAVA/OC FN303 rounds, in addition to Defense Technology-branded 40mm CS Skat Shells.
Overhead, one of the Eugene Police Department’s drones buzzed around, surveilling the scene. Several cruisers also drove by without emergency lights on.
The police department’s decision to visibly stand down to provide aid to DHS came the same day the EPD published the Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s guidance to law enforcement agencies titled “Law Enforcement Awareness Guide For Interactions With Civil Immigration Authorities.”
As stated, municipal law enforcement cannot aid DHS in any immigration enforcement-related activity, however, they would be permitted to clear a roadway for public use.
The protest ended around 9 p.m. following further threats of arrest by DHS and an announcement that all those who had been detained were released. Injuries not independently verified that were reported to DSM include being hit in the head with a canister and either a PepperBall or FN303 round hitting a minor in the eye.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information comes in.
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[…] action was repeated later in the evening following a vigil for Alex Pretti led by the Oregon Nurses Association. In all, federal agents detained several individuals and […]