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Portland Police Chief Bob Day wiped away tears Friday as he discussed new information showing two illegal immigrants were shot and killed during a federal raid. immigration enforcement The encounter had links to the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
Day confirmed a statement from the Department of Homeland Security identifying the two individuals – Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras – as illegal Venezuelan criminal aliens with alleged ties to TdA.
Both were shot and killed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent after Moncada, the driver of the vehicle, allegedly “cocked his vehicle” and tried to run over officersprompting an agent to shoot in self-defense, according to DHS.
“They have a connection to TDA involvement. We can confirm that,” Day said, pausing and choking up.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day wipes away tears during a news conference Friday after confirming that two illegal immigrants shot and killed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent had ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. (KPTV)
Day said he was initially hesitant to disclose the alleged gang connection, citing what he described as the “historic injustice of victim blaming” by law enforcement, including within his own agency.
“I want to speak for just a moment, specifically for my Latino community” said Day.
“It saddens me to have to qualify these comments because I understand or at least I have tried to understand your voices, your concern, your fear, your anger,” Day said, taking off his glasses mid-sentence and wiping tears from his eyes.
“This information is in no way intended to denigrate, condone, support or approve of the actions that occurred yesterday,” the chief added.
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DHS officials say Luis David Nico Moncada, left, and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, are illegal Venezuelan criminal aliens and suspected members of the foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua. The two men were injured after being shot by a Border Patrol agent on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when they allegedly attempted to run over the agent and others with their vehicle. (Department of Homeland Security)
Day stressed that he was revealing the alleged gang ties only for the sake of transparency and that the information should not be construed as an excuse or justification for the shooting, which remains under investigation.
“But it’s important that we remain committed to the rule of law, that we remain committed to the facts, that we remain a trustworthy and legitimate police department for all the people of Portland,” he said.
Day said both suspects remain hospitalized in stable condition and are in federal custody.
“They are in the custody of federal law enforcement, but they appear to be on the road to recovery, and I am grateful for that,” Day said.
FBI agents at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents in Portland, Oregon. (KPTV)
DHS rejected the first reports suggesting both were a married couple, calling such claims “revolting lies.” Instead, the agency said Moncada was suspected of being a gang associate and that Zambrano-Contreras was allegedly involved in a TdA-related prostitution operation.
Day has previously been criticized by Camilla Wamsley, director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Portland, who said the facility has endured dozens of nights of violence and that Portland police have been largely absent in responding to protests under the leadership of the mayor and city council.
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Day previously said his forces would not assist with immigration enforcement operations, but noted that Portland police were handling public safety in surrounding neighborhoods during the protests.
