(NewsNation) — The Department of Homeland Security said two people shot by a federal agent in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday were associates of the Tren de Aragua gang.
In a post on social media, DHS said the pair “weaponized their vehicle” against Border Patrol and that an agent shot them in self-defense.
The agency identified the driver of the vehicle as Luis David Nico Moncada, who was in the country illegally with a final order of removal. According to DHS, he had previously been arrested for DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
DHS identified the passenger as Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, also accused of being in the country illegally. The agency said she is a Tren de Aragua associate who played a role in a prostitution ring and was also allegedly involved in a prior shooting.
The shooting in Portland came one day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Macklin Good in Minneapolis. DHS also characterized that shooting as self-defense, alleging that Macklin Good struck the agent with her car.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has disputed the narrative of events from DHS, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has criticized the Trump administration for its handling of the shooting, including the decision to prevent state law enforcement from being involved in the investigation.
Portland leaders called for an end to ICE operations in the city following the shooting, arguing it’s not “a training ground for militarized agents.”