INCLUDES VIDEO | Here’s what is known, so far, about this outer East Portland shooting incident — which started at a medical clinic parking lot, and ended up three miles to the east. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson calls “ICE to halt all operations in Portland”. And, US Department of Homeland Security provides factual details about the incident …
At what turned out to be the second location of this two-part incident, Portland Police Bureau officers block off East Burnside Street, while investigating a shooting call at 146th Avenue.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On January 8, at 2:18 p.m. the Portland Bureau of Emergency Services (BOEC) dispatched 13 Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers to a “Disturbance with Weapon” report in the “10200 block of SE Main Street” – the geographical reference used to describe Portland Adventist Medical Center.
However, the shooting was not at the hospital, contrary to what most media reported; the incident took place across the street, at “10201 Medical Office 3” building’s parking lot. Witnesses told reporters that the driver of a large red pickup truck backed up and smashed into a car, severely damaging it, then drove toward federal officer – who shot at the vehicle.
Officers begin stringing police containment tape as they look into a shooting.
Then, at 2:24 p.m. BOEC dispatchers sent two ambulances to NE 146th Avenue at East Burnside Street. “A caller reports a male, shot twice in the arm, and a female shot in the chest; Portland Police also on the way”, responding units were informed.
At first, the two dispatches, just minutes and exactly three miles apart, seemed unrelated. BOEC’s media notification system initially showed no PPB officers sent to the second location, only the two ambulances arriving at 2:31 p.m. and 2:34 p.m., respectively.
At 3:30 p.m., the PPB issued a press release linking the two events: Officers confirmed that federal agents had been involved in a shooting; and underlining that Portland Police were not involved in the incident.
After the two wounded persons have been taken away by ambulance, officers contain the second incident scene. Courtesy KGW-TV News8
Portland Police officers who arrived at the second location found a man and woman with apparent gunshot wounds, so they provided first aid, and called for ambulances. “The ‘patients’ were transported to the hospital; officers determined the two people were the ones injured in the shooting involving federal agents,” reported the PPB.
At a press conference PPB Chief Bob Day speaks about the incident.
About an hour after the incident began, PPB Chief Bob Day stated, “We are still in the early stages of this incident. We understand the heightened emotion and tension many are feeling in the wake of the [fatal] shooting in Minneapolis, but I am asking the community to remain calm as we work to learn more.”
As word got out, many people gathered at the NE 146th Avenue at East Burnside Street location, as well as the medical office building, as the investigation continued.
At 6 p.m. that evening, officials assembled a press conference – which was held in the downtown PPB conference room.
The meeting room is crowded with reporters as this press conference begins.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson addresses the press conference.
“This violence in our community is devastating,” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said. “These are not statistics. These are human beings. Portland is not a training ground for militarized agents. When the administration talks about using ‘full force,’ we are seeing what that means on our streets. The consequences are not abstract. They are felt in hospital rooms, in living rooms, in the quiet moments when families try to make sense of what happened.
“We know what the federal government says happened here,” Wilson went on. “There was a time when we could take them at their word – that time is long past.
“That is why we are calling on ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to halt all operations in Portland until a full and independent investigation can take place,” Wilson demanded. “Our community deserves answers. Our community deserves accountability. And most of all, our community deserves peace.”
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek says ‘a president endorsing tearing families apart’ to reporters.
“While the details of the event remain limited, one thing is very clear,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek began. “When a president endorses tearing families apart and attempts to govern through fear and hate rather than through shared values, you foster an environment of lawlessness and recklessness.
“Trust is essential to maintaining public safety and the rule law,” Gov. Kotek held forth. “Federal agents, at the direction of the Department of Homeland Security are shattering trust. They are hurting people and they are destroying, day by day, what we hold dear. Our safety, and our sense of safety, are severely undermined by what happened this afternoon in Portland.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson decries “terror and violence ICE is causing” at the press conference.
“Enough is enough, the terror and violence ICE is causing in our neighborhoods must end now,” Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said with indignation. “Multnomah County will not stand by as the federal government attacks our neighbors.”
Several others, identified as local community leaders, chimed in, also demanding that federal officials halt immigration enforcement activities until a thorough investigation is complete.
To watch the entire press conference via YouTube, CLICK HERE.
Outer East Portland City Councilors Avalos, Dunphy, Smith issue statement
Also on January 8, Portland District 1 City Councilors Candace Avalos, Jamie Dunphy, and Loretta Smith issued the following statement:
Today ICE shot two of our East Portland neighbors – just one day after an ICE agent shot and killed a Minneapolis mother. We are still waiting for more information at this time, but this is part of a pattern of violence that we have seen too many times across our country.
ICE in our communities does not make us safe. It should be crystal clear to everyone that the real threat to community safety is the ICE agents harassing, targeting, detaining — and in some tragic cases — killing our neighbors. This violence is unacceptable, it is criminal, and it is against the constitution of the United States.
This federal government is going to spin the story like they do every time one of their agents hurts a community member. We saw that when they tried to send in the National Guard. It’s on all of us to keep speaking the truth, to keep on bearing witness, because our community’s voices outweigh their lies every time. It’s up to each and every one of us to keep us safe.
As your East Portland Councilors, we have stood united to protect Portlanders from aggressive immigration enforcement and federal overreach and we will continue to do everything in our power to keep our communities safe. We are asking our counterparts at every level of government to do the same.
We thank our first-responders for their swift response. We’re holding the two victims and their families in our hearts at this time and our offices will provide more information when it is available.
As the rain falls that evening, the investigation continues in the parking lot of the medical center.
The smashed Hyundai remains in the parking lot of the medical center while the investigation continues.
FBI and investigators with other law enforcement agencies continue the investigation, long after the press conference concludes.
Department of Homeland Security responds
On January 9, at 6:48 a.m., via their official X social media account, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security put out this statement, in part:
“Yesterday, two suspected ‘Tren de Aragua’ gang associates weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol [ICE agents] in Portland. The agent took immediate action to defend himself and others, shooting them.”
Luis David Nico Moncada is said to be the driver of the truck. Image via U. S. Department of Homeland Security
“The driver of the vehicle, Luis David Nico Moncada, is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela and suspected ‘Tren de Aragua’ gang member. He illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 and was released into the country by the Biden administration.
“Since then, he was arrested for DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He has a final order of removal.”
Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras was identified as the passenger wounded in the truck. Image via U. S. Department of Homeland Security
“The passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela and is associated with ‘Tren de Aragua’. She illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 near El Paso, Texas, and was released into this country by the Biden administration.
“Since illegally entering, Zambrano-Contreras played an active role in a ‘Tren de Aragua’ prostitution ring, and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland,” the federal press release concluded.
Here’s a brief look at the investigation, still underway, that evening – in the rain:
As of now, elected officials have not responded to that statement by U.S. Department of Homeland Security. We’ll update the story as it unfolds.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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