Portland Police Chief Bob Day became emotional while confirming DHS findings that two people shot during a CBP enforcement encounter have suspected ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. DHS identified the suspects as Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano‑Contreras and said a CBP agent fired after an alleged vehicle attack. Day said he delayed disclosing the suspected gang link out of concern for community perceptions but released the information for transparency; the shooting remains under investigation and the suspects are in federal custody and hospitalized in stable condition.
Portland Police Chief Tears Up Confirming DHS Links Between CBP Shooting Suspects and Tren de Aragua
DHS officials say Luis David Nico Moncada, left, and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, are Venezuelan criminal illegal aliens and suspected members of the foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua. The duo were wounded after being shot by a Border Patrol agent Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, when they allegedly attempted to run the officer and others over with their vehicle.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day became emotional Friday as he confirmed a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identification linking two people shot during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement encounter to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
What Happened
DHS identified the two individuals as Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano‑Contreras and described them as Venezuelan nationals with suspected ties to TdA. According to DHS, a CBP agent shot both after Moncada, the vehicle's driver, allegedly "weaponized his vehicle" and attempted to strike agents, prompting the agent to fire in self‑defense. Both suspects remain hospitalized in stable condition and are in federal custody while investigations continue.
Chief Day's Remarks
Day confirmed the DHS assessment and said he had initially hesitated to disclose the suspected gang connection because of concerns about "the historic injustice of victim blaming" by law enforcement. Speaking directly to Portland’s Latino community, he said, "It saddens me that we even have to qualify these remarks because I understand or at least have attempted to understand your voices, your concern, your fear, your anger," removing his glasses and wiping his eyes as he spoke.
"They do have some nexus to involvement with TDA. We can confirm that," Day said, pausing as he became visibly moved.
Day emphasized that releasing the information was intended for transparency and should not be interpreted as justifying the shooting. The incident remains under investigation by federal and local authorities.
Additional Context
DHS pushed back against early reports that the pair were married, calling such claims "revolting lies." The agency described Moncada as a suspected gang associate and said Zambrano‑Contreras was allegedly involved in a prostitution operation linked to TdA.
Day has faced criticism from Camilla Wamsley, director of Portland’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office, who has said the ICE facility has experienced repeated nights of violence and that Portland Police have sometimes been absent while responding to protests under direction from the mayor and city council. Day has previously said his department will not participate in immigration enforcement operations, though he noted Portland Police maintain neighborhood public safety during demonstrations.
The shooting and related allegations are under active investigation. Officials have urged patience while both federal and local inquiries proceed.
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