Authorities Investigate Portland Case After Federal Agent Use-of-Force Incident

PORTLAND INCIDENT IDENTITIES, have been released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following a shooting involving a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent in southeast Portland.

According to DHS, the two individuals injured in the incident have been identified as Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, a married couple who were inside a vehicle at the time of the shooting. Officials stated that Moncada was driving the vehicle, while Zambrano-Contreras was seated in the passenger seat.

In a statement shared publicly, DHS described both individuals as Venezuelan nationals and alleged that they were unlawfully present in the United States. The department further claimed that both have alleged ties to the transnational criminal organization known as Tren de Aragua. DHS officials stated that Moncada is suspected of being affiliated with the group.

According to DHS, Moncada entered the United States illegally in 2022 and was later released. Since that time, the department said he had been arrested on charges including driving under the influence and unauthorized use of a vehicle. DHS also stated that Moncada is currently under a final order of removal.

DHS alleged that Zambrano-Contreras entered the United States illegally in 2023 near El Paso, Texas, and was subsequently released. The department claimed that following her entry, she was involved in activities connected to a Tren de Aragua–affiliated prostitution operation and was linked to a prior shooting in Portland.

Authorities confirmed that both individuals were shot by a CBP agent during the incident on Thursday. DHS has not released additional information regarding the events that led to the use of force, and officials stated that the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.