In a troubling incident that has ignited protests and raised questions about federal law enforcement practices, two individuals were shot and injured by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the individuals on Friday as Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, both of whom are Venezuelan nationals. According to DHS, the two are reportedly affiliated with the gang Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization known for its violent activities in Latin America. The shooting occurred during what federal officials described as a "targeted" traffic stop aimed at Zambrano-Contreras, who was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Moncada. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin alleged that Moncada attempted to run over law enforcement officers, prompting a federal agent to fire a "defensive shot." However, eyewitness accounts paint a different picture of the events, raising concerns about the use of force by federal officers. One witness reported seeing officers follow Moncada's vehicle into a parking lot, where they pounded on the truck's window before firing several shots as the vehicle sped away. The incident took place shortly after 2:15 p.m. near a medical office on Southeast Main Street. Following the shooting, both Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. Their current conditions have not been publicly disclosed. As the situation unfolded, Portland police received reports of the shooting and dispatched emergency responders to the scene. The city's response was swift, with a candlelight vigil and protest organized outside Portland City Hall the following day. Hundreds of residents took to the streets to voice their outrage over the shooting, calling for accountability and demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cease all operations in the city. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Governor Tina Kotek joined local officials at a press conference, where they expressed their discontent with federal actions and called for a thorough investigation into the shooting. Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced that his office would investigate whether federal officers acted outside the scope of their authority. This move aligns with a previous warning issued to the federal government, emphasizing that state authorities would hold federal agents accountable for any excessive use of force. The Attorney General stated, "We will ensure that any actions taken by law enforcement are in accordance with the law, and we will not hesitate to act if they are not." The details surrounding the shooting remain murky, with no immediate video evidence available to clarify the events. This lack of transparency has contributed to public skepticism regarding the official narrative provided by federal agencies. The incident bears similarities to another recent shooting involving federal officers in Minnesota, where the use of deadly force was also justified under claims of self-defense. In that case, video evidence contradicted the official account, leading to widespread criticism of federal law enforcement practices. Local law enforcement officials have stated that they are gathering more information about the incident, but a spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau confirmed that no charges had been found against either Moncada or Zambrano-Contreras in state or federal criminal court records. This raises further questions about the federal claims regarding their alleged criminal affiliations and past conduct. The incident has reignited discussions about the treatment of immigrants and the role of federal immigration enforcement in Oregon. According to data from the Deportation Data Project, Venezuelans are among the top three nationalities most frequently arrested by ICE in the state. In the first ten months of 2025 alone, at least 68 Venezuelans were detained, with 11 of those individuals having prior criminal convictions. As the investigation continues, community leaders and local officials are advocating for a reevaluation of federal immigration policies and practices, particularly in light of this incident. They argue that the community deserves greater transparency and accountability from federal law enforcement agencies, especially given the potential for violence in encounters between officers and individuals from marginalized communities. In the wake of the shooting, Portland has become a focal point for discussions around immigration enforcement, police accountability, and the rights of individuals in the face of federal authority. The outcome of the investigation by the Attorney General's office, as well as any subsequent actions taken by local and federal officials, will likely shape the discourse surrounding these critical issues in the months to come.