Portland’s police chief broke down in tears Friday while confirming that two illegal immigrants shot by a federal agent had suspected ties to the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, KGW News reported.
Police Chief Bob Day said the two suspects wounded in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection encounter had a “nexus” to the gang, backing up a Department of Homeland Security statement released earlier in the day.
“They do have some nexus to involvement with TDA. We can confirm that,” Day said, pausing as he choked up during a news conference.
DHS said the driver, Luis David Nico Moncada, “weaponized his vehicle” and attempted to run over agents, prompting a CBP officer to open fire in self-defense.
Both Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras remain hospitalized in stable condition and are in 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.
