Border Patrol Agents Shoot Two in Portland; Federal and State Investigations Underway

On January 8, 2026, two individuals were shot and wounded by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Portland, Oregon. The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. in the parking lot of Adventist Health Portland in the Hazelwood neighborhood. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the individuals as Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, both Venezuelan nationals. DHS stated that Moncada entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and Zambrano-Contreras in 2023. The agency alleged that both are associated with the Tren de Aragua gang, with Zambrano-Contreras purportedly involved in a prostitution ring and a prior shooting in Portland.

According to DHS, Border Patrol agents conducted a targeted vehicle stop, during which the driver allegedly attempted to use the vehicle as a weapon against the agents. In response, an agent fired multiple shots, injuring both occupants. The vehicle then fled the scene.

Portland Police Chief Bob Day stated that local authorities were not provided with information about the individuals who were shot and had no access to recordings of the incident, making it difficult to verify federal statements. He also noted that there was no information linking the Tren de Aragua gang to Portland at that time.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced that the Oregon Department of Justice had opened an investigation into the shooting to determine if federal agents exceeded their lawful authority.

The FBI is also investigating the incident as an assault on a federal officer.

The shooting has sparked protests in Portland. On the evening of January 8, approximately 400 people gathered for a candlelight vigil outside Portland City Hall, organized by the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. Hundreds also gathered outside the Portland ICE facility to protest, leading to six arrests.

This incident occurred one day after a federal agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, raising concerns about the use of force by federal agents.