Federal law enforcement officials have confirmed that a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and injured two “suspected Tren de Aragua gang associates” in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday after one of the suspects “weaponized” their vehicle and allegedly tried to run over Border Patrol agents.
In a Thursday statement on X, formerly Twitter, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the shooting took place at roughly 2:19 p.m. (local time) as Border Patrol agents were conducting a “targeted vehicle stop” in Portland. The department noted that the driver was a Tren de Aragua gang member, while the passenger was an illegal immigrant from Venezuela linked to the Tren de Aragua prostitution ring.
“When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents,” the Department of Homeland Security stated. “Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot.”
The Department of Homeland Security explained that after the shooting, the driver of the vehicle “drove off with the passenger.” Federal officials noted that additional information would be shared as the situation was “evolving.”
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In a Friday morning update regarding the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security said, “Yesterday, two suspected Tren de Aragua gang associates—let loose on American streets by Joe Biden—weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland. The agent took immediate action to defend himself and others, shooting them.”
The Department of Homeland Security identified the driver of the weaponized vehicle as Luis David Nico Moncada, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant and a suspected member of Tren de Aragua. According to the department, Moncada illegally entered the United States in 2022 and was released into the country by former President Joe Biden’s administration. The Venezuelan illegal immigrant was previously arrested for driving under the influence and for the unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The Department of Homeland Security identified the passenger of the weaponized vehicle as Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant linked to Tren de Aragua. The department noted that Zambrano-Contreras illegally entered the United States in 2023 before being released into the country by Biden’s administration. The department also confirmed that Zambrano-Contreras was previously involved in a Portland shooting and “played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring.”
The Department of Homeland Security shared pictures of the two suspects in Friday’s update on social media.