Border Patrol IDs Portland Shooting Victims as Alleged Venezuelan Gang Members, Oregon AG Opens Investigation
PORTLAND, Ore. — Homeland Security has released the names of the couple shot by a U.S. Border Patrol and Customs Protection agent in Portland on Thursday afternoon.
They are Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, both described as criminal illegal aliens from Venezuela and suspected Tren de Aragua gang members – “let loose on American streets by Joe Biden.”
In a statement on X, Border Patrol reiterates that their agent shot at the suspects to defend himself when Nino-Moncada ‘weaponized’ his vehicle.
Border Patrol says Nino-Moncada entered the U.S. illegally in 2022. He was previously arrested for DUI and for the unauthorized use of a vehicle. He also has a final order of removal.
His passenger, Zambrano-Contreras, entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 near El Paso. Texas. They claim that since her arrival, she has played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was previously involved in a shooting incident in Portland.
Thursday’s shooting occurred at about 2.18 p.m. in the parking lot of the Adventist Health Clinic near Southeast Main Street.
The couple was hospitalized after Nino-Moncada was struck by a bullet in the arm and Zambrano-Contreras was shot in the chest. Nino-Moncada has been released from the hospital and is now in the custody of the FBI. Zambrano-Contreras is still in the hospital but said to be in a stable condition.
The Injured Couple Drove 2.5 Miles after the Shooting
After the shooting, the couple drove 2,5 miles to Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside, where they were found by Portland Police Officers who applied emergency medical care before the couple was admitted to two local hospitals.
Shortly after the shooting, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced that the Department of Justice would launch its own investigation.
Rayfield said in a news statement that he wanted to ensure that the federal agents involved in the shooting are held accountable for their actions and that these were performed within the scope of their official duties.