Lawyer Challenges Official Account of Recent Shooting Incident in Portland
Two individuals are reported to have been shot by federal law enforcement in Portland. The authorities have linked both individuals to a criminal gang with roots in Venezuela. However, no additional information was provided about the circumstances that led to the shooting incident in East Portland.
The Portland Police Chief announced that the two individuals, Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, had previously come up in connection with a shooting incident last summer that was tied to the Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua.
Previous Arrests and Charges
Law enforcement in Washington County had previously arrested Zambrano-Contreras on charges of prostitution, with Nino-Moncada present at the time of her arrest. The District Attorney’s office in Washington County confirmed that Zambrano-Contrera is also involved in an ongoing human trafficking case, which had been referred to the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office due to its multi-jurisdictional nature and potential violations of federal law. Nino-Moncada also faced a DUI charge in late 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security later issued a press release providing the correct spelling of Nino-Moncada’s name. Fidel Cassino Du-Cloux, a Federal Public Defender, confirmed that his office is representing Nino-Moncada, who is currently in hospital.
Defense Attorney's Statement
In a statement, Du-Cloux criticized the government’s response to the shooting and the subsequent accusations leveled against Nino-Moncada. He disputed the government’s claim that Nino-Moncada is a member of Tren de Aragua, noting that this claim is unsupported by evidence. Du-Cloux urged the public to focus on the facts of the case, rather than unfounded allegations.
As of the time of the report, no federal charges had been filed against either Nino-Moncada or Zambrano-Contreras. Zambrano-Contreras is being represented by a different attorney.
Investigation Continues
The shooting has caused significant unrest in Portland, with multiple protests and widespread condemnation from state and local officials. The Police Chief has been cautious with the information he has released, stating that he does not want to unfairly judge the shooting victims. He also confirmed that both Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras are in stable condition and are expected to recover from their injuries.
Officials from Homeland Security stated that the shooting occurred after Border Patrol agents attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Nino-Moncada, who is said to be in the country illegally. According to the agents, the driver attempted to run over them with his vehicle, which resulted in an agent firing a defensive shot. The FBI is leading an investigation into the shooting, in collaboration with local and state authorities.
Community Reaction
Residents of the apartments in East Portland where the shooting victims fled to after being shot have reported their shock at the incident. Patrick Herrington, a resident, reported a chaotic scene on the night of the shooting. He had seen Zambrano-Contrera and Nino-Moncada at the complex several times before, although they did not live there.
Protests in Response to the Shooting
The shooting in Portland has sparked further outrage, following an incident in Minneapolis where a woman was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Following the incident, several Portland officials called for an end to federal immigration enforcement in the city. In response, Republican officials and conservative commentators have argued that federal authorities have the right to apprehend dangerous criminals, and criticized Democrats for assuming that the border patrol agents were in the wrong.
The Police Chief has urged the public to protest peacefully and maintain the credibility that Portland has built up nationally. He expressed his hope for a peaceful but robust and active weekend of protests.
