Yesterday in Portland, Oregon, two individuals suspected of being associates of the Tren de Aragua gang attempted to evade arrest by U.S. Border Patrol agents. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the suspects used their vehicle in an attempt to harm law enforcement officers. The agent responded by shooting at them.
After fleeing the scene, the suspects drove about five miles to an apartment complex and contacted emergency medical services. Both were transported to separate hospitals for treatment. Luis David Nino-Moncada sustained an arm injury and is now in FBI custody. Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras was shot in the chest. DHS clarified that these individuals are not married.
“Only one day after an ICE officer was almost ran over in Minneapolis, two vicious Tren de Aragua gang members—let loose on American streets by Joe Biden—weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “The agent took immediate action to defend himself and others, shooting them. Thankfully, no law enforcement was injured as these criminals fled. Our law enforcement officers are on the frontlines arresting terrorists, gang members, murderers, pedophiles, and rapists. They are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks against them, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them. The violence must end.”
DHS reported that Zambrano-Contreras is a Venezuelan national who entered the United States illegally near El Paso, Texas in 2023 and was released into the country by federal authorities. She has been associated with a prostitution ring linked to Tren de Aragua and had involvement with a prior shooting incident in Portland last July.
Nino-Moncada is also from Venezuela and is suspected of being a member of Tren de Aragua. He entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was released into the country by authorities at that time. Since then he has been arrested for driving under the influence and unauthorized use of a vehicle; he currently has a final order of removal.
Law enforcement officials say they have seen significant increases over recent years: assaults against officers have risen sharply along with incidents involving vehicles used as weapons.
