By Timothy Sekerak
Portland Police Chief Bob Day started crying during a press conference Friday after admitting two people shot by federal agents were linked to Tren de Aragua.
“They do have some nexus to involvement with TdA, we can confirm that … and what I can say is that there is an association with the two folks from yesterday and TdA,” Day said during the press conference.
“I hesitated to even share this information initially because I’m very aware of the historic injustice of victim blaming often times portrayed by law enforcement, including this very agency that I’ve represented so proudly for so many years, and historically we have not been quick to disclose the potential criminal history of others,” he continued.
He then went on to say, “I want to speak for just a moment specifically to my Latino community,” while appearing to become emotional and pausing for a moment. “It saddens me that we even have to qualify these remarks because I understand, or at least have attempted to understand, through your voices, your concern, your fear, your anger.”
He then proceeded to wipe the tears from his eyes while saying, “This information in no way is meant to disparage or to condone or support or agree with any of the actions that occurred yesterday.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that “two criminal illegal aliens who attacked Border Patrol in Portland are a gang member and his prostitute, NOT an innocent ‘married couple,” in a post to X on Friday. This was in response to ABC 17 News after they shared a CNN article to X with a caption saying federal agents “left a married couple wounded in Portland.” (RELATED: Feds Say Two Shot By Border Patrol In Portland Were Gang Member And His Prostitute)
Border Protection agents shot Luis David Nico Moncada Thursday, a Venezuelan national and suspected member of Tren de Aragua, which the State Department has designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, according to the DHS. Moncada entered the U.S. in 2022 and was released into the country during the Biden administration, according to the agency. He has since been arrested for a DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle and has a final order of removal.
Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras was also shot and is allegedly associated with Tren de Aragua as well. She entered the U.S. in 2023 and was also released during the Biden administration. She “played an active role in the Tren de Aragua prostitution ring,” DHS said. She has also been involved in a previous shooting in Portland.
The two individuals are in stable condition in the hospital as of Friday evening, according to an ABC News report.
