PORTLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the identities of the two individuals shot by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent during an incident in southeast Portland.
According to DHS, the individuals are 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 posted on social media, DHS described both individuals as criminal illegal aliens from Venezuela and alleged that each has ties to the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua.
DHS officials said Moncada is a suspected member of Tren de Aragua.
The department reported that he illegally entered the United States in 2022 and was subsequently released into the country.
Since his entry, Moncada was arrested on charges including driving under the influence and unauthorized use of a vehicle, according to DHS. The department further stated that Moncada is currently under a final order of removal.
Zambrano-Contreras is alleged by DHS to have illegally entered the United States in 2023 near El Paso, Texas, after which she was also released into the country.
DHS claims that following her entry, Zambrano-Contreras played an active role in a Tren de Aragua–affiliated prostitution operation and was involved in a prior shooting in Portland.
Authorities confirmed that both individuals were shot by a CBP agent during the incident on Thursday.
DHS has not yet released further details regarding the circumstances that led to the use of force, and the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
About the Author
