Federal Agents Open Fire on Migrant Couple in Portland, Leaving Them with Gunshot Wounds.
A dramatic confrontation between US Customs and Border Protection agents and two suspected migrants ended in gunfire on Thursday afternoon in a predominantly Latino neighborhood of Portland. Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, both from Venezuela, suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being shot by federal officers.
According to authorities, the pair entered the US illegally in 2022 and 2023 respectively, with DHS citing ties to a notorious Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua. Homeland Security claimed that Nino-Moncada drove at agents with his vehicle before being confronted and subsequently fired upon.
However, Portland Police Chief Bob Day disputed this account, stating only that both suspects "have some nexus to involvement" with the Tren de Aragua gang. Both victims were hospitalized in stable condition with Nino-Moncada currently under FBI custody.
Oregon officials expressed outrage over the incident, calling for greater transparency from federal agencies and cooperation from local authorities. Governor Tina Kotek urged the Trump administration to provide answers and reassurance, while Portland Mayor Keith Wilson demanded an end to ICE operations within his city until further investigation is completed.
"This is a federal investigation being led by the FBI," Chief Day said in a news conference on Thursday night, with the police department providing limited support. The Portland City Council briefly recessed its meeting after learning of the shooting.
Protesters took to the streets that evening, gathering outside an ICE facility to express their anger and call for accountability. Demonstrators warned federal agents of potential physical force if they attempted to disperse them.
A day prior to this incident, a similar case had unfolded in Minneapolis, where Renee Good was shot and killed by an Immigration Enforcement officer who claimed she had used her vehicle as a weapon. Critics have questioned the veracity of that account, citing conflicting video evidence and official statements.
A dramatic confrontation between US Customs and Border Protection agents and two suspected migrants ended in gunfire on Thursday afternoon in a predominantly Latino neighborhood of Portland. Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, both from Venezuela, suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being shot by federal officers.
According to authorities, the pair entered the US illegally in 2022 and 2023 respectively, with DHS citing ties to a notorious Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua. Homeland Security claimed that Nino-Moncada drove at agents with his vehicle before being confronted and subsequently fired upon.
However, Portland Police Chief Bob Day disputed this account, stating only that both suspects "have some nexus to involvement" with the Tren de Aragua gang. Both victims were hospitalized in stable condition with Nino-Moncada currently under FBI custody.
Oregon officials expressed outrage over the incident, calling for greater transparency from federal agencies and cooperation from local authorities. Governor Tina Kotek urged the Trump administration to provide answers and reassurance, while Portland Mayor Keith Wilson demanded an end to ICE operations within his city until further investigation is completed.
"This is a federal investigation being led by the FBI," Chief Day said in a news conference on Thursday night, with the police department providing limited support. The Portland City Council briefly recessed its meeting after learning of the shooting.
Protesters took to the streets that evening, gathering outside an ICE facility to express their anger and call for accountability. Demonstrators warned federal agents of potential physical force if they attempted to disperse them.
A day prior to this incident, a similar case had unfolded in Minneapolis, where Renee Good was shot and killed by an Immigration Enforcement officer who claimed she had used her vehicle as a weapon. Critics have questioned the veracity of that account, citing conflicting video evidence and official statements.