Portland's police chief delivered an emotional news conference, revealing that two individuals shot by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents this week are undocumented immigrants connected to a dangerous Venezuelan criminal organisation.
An Emotional Disclosure and a Targeted Stop
On Friday, Portland Police Chief Bob Day broke down in tears as he confirmed the identities and backgrounds of Luis David Nico Moncada, 33, and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, 32. Both were shot by federal agents during a targeted vehicle stop on Thursday afternoon outside Adventist Health Portland on Southeast Main Street.
Chief Day, visibly distraught and wiping his eyes, stressed that the information about their gang affiliation was released for transparency and should not be used to justify the shooting, which remains under investigation. "This information, in no way, is meant to disparage or to condone or support or agree with any of the actions that occurred yesterday," he stated.
He directly addressed Portland's Latino community, saying: "It saddens me that we even have to qualify these remarks because I understand or at least have attempted to understand your voices, your concern, your fear, your anger."
The Shooting Incident and Gang Ties
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the stop was part of a targeted Border Patrol mission known as 'Operation Oregon.' Agents identified themselves to the occupants of a red Toyota. DHS alleges the driver then "weaponized his vehicle" and attempted to run over the law enforcement officers.
"Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot," the DHS statement said. The driver fled the scene with the passenger. The wounded pair were later found calling for help from an apartment near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside. Officers provided first aid, applying a tourniquet, before emergency medical services arrived.
Both individuals were hospitalised in stable condition and are now in federal custody. Chief Day expressed gratitude that they "appear to be on the road to recovery."
DHS officials disclosed that the passenger, Zambrano-Contreras, is a Venezuelan national tied to the Tren de Aragua gang's prostitution ring and was allegedly involved in a recent Portland shooting. Moncada was identified as a suspected associate of the same violent gang. DHS strongly dismissed early reports that the two were a married couple, labelling such claims "revolting lies."
Mounting Political Tensions and Calls for Action
The Portland shooting occurred just one day after a separate, fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis. In that incident, agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed 37-year-old mother-of-three Renee Nicole Good. The Trump administration has defended Ross's actions as self-defence, while some Democrats have condemned him.
In response to the Portland event, Mayor Keith Wilson issued a statement calling it a "deeply troubling incident" and demanded ICE end all operations in the city pending a full investigation. "Portland is not a 'training ground' for militarized agents," he declared.
Congresswoman Maxine Dexter echoed the call, stating: "ICE has done nothing but inject terror, chaos and cruelty into our communities." Colleague Janelle Bynum went further, accusing the federal actions of being "state-sponsored terrorism."
These developments expose the ongoing, intense national debate over immigration enforcement tactics. Chief Day concluded his emotional remarks by reaffirming his department's commitment: "But it is important that we stay committed to the rule of law, that we stay committed to the facts, that we stay a trustworthy and legitimate police department for all Portlanders."
