• Portland Police Chief Bob Day wiped away tears Friday while confirming two shooting victims have connections to Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua
• The emotional press conference validated Department of Homeland Security claims that initially sparked political controversy in the city
• FBI and Oregon Attorney General have opened separate investigations into Thursday’s shooting involving Border Patrol agents

PORTLAND, OR (TDR) — Portland Police Chief Bob Day removed his glasses and wiped tears from his eyes Friday as he confirmed what federal officials had claimed from the outset — two people shot by Border Patrol agents have verified links to the violent Tren de Aragua gang.

The chief’s emotional disclosure came during a tense press conference where he acknowledged Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras — both Venezuelan nationals shot Thursday — possess connections to the transnational criminal organization. Day admitted he initially hesitated to share the gang affiliation publicly.

Investigation Reveals Criminal Network

Day revealed that Portland police investigators uncovered the Tren de Aragua Portland connection while investigating a separate shooting that occurred in July 2025. A Venezuelan immigrant victim in that case identified the assailants as gang-associated individuals, which led detectives to Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras.

“They do have some nexus to involvement with TdA. We can confirm that,” Day said during Friday’s briefing. “What I can say is there is an association with the two folks yesterday and TdA.”

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The Department of Homeland Security had identified Moncada as a suspected gang member and Zambrano-Contreras as associated with the organization’s prostitution ring. According to federal records, Moncada entered the United States illegally in 2022, while Zambrano-Contreras arrived in 2023 — both were released during the Biden administration.

Competing Investigations Create Tension

The Thursday afternoon shooting has triggered parallel investigations by both the FBI and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, creating jurisdictional questions about accountability and oversight. Rayfield announced his office would examine “whether any federal officer acted outside the scope of their lawful authority.”

Border Patrol agents conducting a targeted vehicle stop allegedly fired in self-defense after Moncada weaponized his vehicle and attempted to strike officers, according to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. The suspects fled the scene and drove themselves to an apartment complex three miles away before calling for emergency assistance.

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Both individuals underwent surgery and remain hospitalized in stable condition. Moncada was subsequently released from the hospital and taken into FBI custody.

Emotional Appeal to Latino Community

During his press conference, Day became visibly emotional while addressing Portland’s Latino residents, expressing concern about potential community backlash and historical patterns of victim blaming by law enforcement.

“I want to speak for just a moment, specifically to my Latino community,” Day said, his voice breaking. “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.”

The police chief emphasized that disclosing the gang connections should not be interpreted as justifying the shooting, which remains under active investigation. “This information, in no way, is meant to disparage or to condone or support or agree with any of the actions that occurred yesterday,” he added.

Day acknowledged that law enforcement agencies typically avoid releasing criminal history information about shooting victims during ongoing investigations. However, he said transparency and maintaining public trust demanded the disclosure after DHS publicly identified the suspects and their alleged gang affiliations.

Defense Attorney Challenges Federal Account

Federal Public Defender Fidel Cassino Du-Cloux, representing Moncada, disputed the government’s characterization of events and questioned the gang affiliation claims.

“The shooting of Mr. Moncada by federal officers and the subsequent accusations leveled against the victim of that shooting follow a well-worn playbook that the government has developed to justify the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of its agents,” Cassino Du-Cloux stated. “The federal government has claimed without evidence that he is a member of Tren de Aragua, just as they have many other Venezuelan citizens.”

As of Friday evening, no federal charges had been filed against either Moncada or Zambrano-Contreras. The defense attorney urged the public to focus on facts rather than “speculation about allegations that serve to distract attention from the recent pattern of unjustified shootings.”

Political Fallout Intensifies

The shooting occurred one day after an ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, sparking nationwide protests against federal immigration enforcement tactics. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson called for an immediate halt to all ICE operations in the city pending a complete investigation.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek described the incident as a “terrible, unnecessary violent event” and supported Wilson’s demand for suspended operations. Multiple Oregon congressional representatives issued statements condemning federal enforcement methods.

The incident highlights the growing tension between the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement priorities and progressive municipal governments designated as sanctuary jurisdictions. Portland has emerged as a focal point for federal enforcement actions, with hundreds of protesters gathering outside ICE facilities following Thursday’s shooting.

Should police chiefs publicly disclose gang affiliations of shooting victims during active investigations, or does this practice undermine due process and community trust?

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