Pair shot by immigration agents in Portland had gang links, officials say
A man and woman who were shot and killed Thursday by an immigration agent in Portland, Oregon, had ties to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, officials said.
At a news conference Friday, Portland Police Chief Bob Day confirmed that both “were involved” in the gang, but did not elaborate on the extent of their alleged connection.
Federal officials said the officer was forced to open fire on the two men after the driver tried to run him over during a traffic stop. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the two men were gang members who “used their vehicle as a weapon against Border Patrol.”
Both are conscious in the hospital and “on the mend,” Day said.
On Friday, DHS identified the injured driver as Luis David Nino-Moncada, who it said entered the United States illegally in 2022 and has since been arrested for alleged driving under the influence (DUI) and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The other injured passenger was Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, who is believed to have entered the United States illegally in 2023 near El Paso, Texas.
DHS alleged that “Contreras played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved in an earlier shooting in Portland.”
Federal officials said some U.S. media outlets incorrectly reported that the two were a married couple.
According to the department, when officers identified themselves at a traffic stop, the driver attempted to run them over.
“Fearing for his life and safety, an officer fired a defensive shot. The driver left with the passenger, fleeing the scene,” it was reported.
They then drove 5 miles to an apartment complex where they called for emergency medical help, according to DHS.
On Friday, Day said the two men had a “connection” to a July shooting in which the victim claimed he was attacked by members of the Tren de Aragua. He did not provide further details about the alleged connection.
“This information is in no way intended to denigrate, condone, support or approve of the actions that occurred yesterday,” he said. “But it’s important that we remain committed to the rule of law, that we remain committed to the facts, that we remain a trustworthy and legitimate police department for all the people of Portland.”
He also said that Tren de Aragua was present in Portland, but that it “does not appear to be as significant as some are led to believe.”
According to Day, Zambrano-Contreras had previously been arrested in the area for prostitution and Nino-Moncada was present when a search warrant was served.
It’s unclear whether the two men face criminal charges related to Thursday’s incident, which came a day after an immigration agent fatally shot a motorist in Minneapolis. DHS said the driver tried to run over the agent, a version disputed by state officials.
Recently, DHS sent agents to Minneapolis to arrest and deport illegal immigrants, following similar operations in Portland, Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities.
Hundreds of people protested outside an immigration detention center in Portland on Thursday evening. Authorities made six arrests for disturbing public order.
