A suspected Venezuelan gang member wounded during a confrontation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Portland has now been tied to a separate shooting months earlier, according to local law enforcement.
Authorities say the individual, who is in the country illegally, was already on investigators’ radar before the January encounter with federal agents.
Earlier Shooting Raised Red Flags
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex in July 2025. No injuries were reported, and the suspects left the area before officers arrived.
A nearby resident described the incident as disturbing for a normally calm neighborhood. He said he heard glass shatter and then saw deputies moving through yards with weapons drawn. Investigators later described the event as a deal that went wrong.
Detectives eventually named Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano Contreras as a person of interest in that case. Because the investigation crossed multiple jurisdictions and involved possible federal crimes, the matter was handed over to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case remains open.
Details of the CBP Confrontation
Federal prosecutors say Zambrano Contreras and Nino Moncada were inside a Toyota Tacoma when Border Patrol agents attempted a targeted traffic stop in Portland on January 8.
According to court filings, Moncada refused to exit the vehicle and instead reversed into a Border Patrol unit with force. Prosecutors allege he rammed the vehicle multiple times while shifting between forward and reverse.
Agents, believing their lives were in danger, opened fire and struck both occupants. Both suspects survived, received medical treatment, and were later charged with federal crimes.
Gang Ties and Immigration History
Authorities say both suspects have connections to Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan criminal network. Prosecutors stated Moncada entered the United States illegally in 2022 and was under a final removal order. His criminal history includes prior arrests for driving under the influence and unauthorized vehicle use.
Zambrano Contreras allegedly entered the country illegally in 2023 and is accused of playing an active role in a prostitution ring tied to the same gang.
During questioning, Moncada reportedly admitted he rammed the CBP vehicle to escape arrest.
Limited Video Evidence
The Justice Department confirmed that none of the six Border Patrol agents involved were wearing body cameras at the time. Investigators also said they were unable to locate surveillance footage or social media video capturing the incident.
The shooting occurred just days after a separate and controversial ICE related shooting in Minneapolis, where a woman was killed after allegedly driving her vehicle toward federal agents during an enforcement operation.
