The FBI stated in a court document released on Monday that there was no surveillance or other video evidence regarding a recent shooting incident involving a Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Portland, Oregon. The shooting occurred when agents reported that a Border Patrol colleague fired at a pickup truck after the driver, identified as Luis David Nino-Moncada, backed into a rented car and reportedly posed a threat to the agents' safety and public security.
Witnessing the driver reverse and colliding with their vehicle provoked fears among the agents leading to the gunfire. The incident took place in a medical office parking lot, and it has drawn attention following another recent fatal shooting incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis, resulting in protests over the aggressive tactics of federal enforcement during immigration operations.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that both individuals in the truck were in the U.S. illegally and had ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Nino-Moncada called 911 after fleeing the shooting scene, later being taken into custody by the FBI after receiving medical attention for gunshot wounds. His passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, also sustained injuries and is detained at a private immigration facility.
An initial court appearance revealed that Nino-Moncada was formally charged with aggravated assault and property damage, with federal attorney Pam Bondi asserting that the incident will be addressed with the full force of the justice system due to the individuals' illegal status and gang affiliations.
While the Public Defender representing Nino-Moncada criticized the government's strategy as a justifying mechanism for aggressive law enforcement conduct, local police acknowledged the duo was under scrutiny during previous investigations linked to gang activity. The public outcry surrounding this incident reflects broader concerns about the practices of federal agents in immigration enforcement contexts.
Witnessing the driver reverse and colliding with their vehicle provoked fears among the agents leading to the gunfire. The incident took place in a medical office parking lot, and it has drawn attention following another recent fatal shooting incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis, resulting in protests over the aggressive tactics of federal enforcement during immigration operations.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that both individuals in the truck were in the U.S. illegally and had ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Nino-Moncada called 911 after fleeing the shooting scene, later being taken into custody by the FBI after receiving medical attention for gunshot wounds. His passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, also sustained injuries and is detained at a private immigration facility.
An initial court appearance revealed that Nino-Moncada was formally charged with aggravated assault and property damage, with federal attorney Pam Bondi asserting that the incident will be addressed with the full force of the justice system due to the individuals' illegal status and gang affiliations.
While the Public Defender representing Nino-Moncada criticized the government's strategy as a justifying mechanism for aggressive law enforcement conduct, local police acknowledged the duo was under scrutiny during previous investigations linked to gang activity. The public outcry surrounding this incident reflects broader concerns about the practices of federal agents in immigration enforcement contexts.
