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In an emotional press briefing on Friday, Portland’s police chief tearfully confirmed that two individuals, believed to be undocumented immigrants, who were shot by a federal officer, are suspected of having connections to the notorious Venezuelan criminal network, Tren de Aragua.
Police Chief Bob Day revealed that the two wounded individuals involved in the confrontation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were linked to the gang, aligning with an earlier announcement from the Department of Homeland Security.
“We can confirm they have ties to TDA,” Chief Day stated, his voice breaking with emotion during the news conference.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Luis David Nico Moncada, one of the suspects, allegedly used his vehicle as a weapon in an attempt to harm agents, which led a CBP officer to fire in self-defense.
Both Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras are currently in stable condition at the hospital and remain under federal custody.
Day said he initially hesitated to disclose the suspected gang ties, citing concerns about what he called the “historic injustice of victim blaming,” while stressing the shooting remains under investigation and that the information was released for transparency.