Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day became emotional during a press conference after confirming that an individual shot by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents last week had ties to the transnational Tren de Aragua (TDA) street gang. The shooting followed a federal operation in Portland and quickly drew public attention and political backlash.
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According to the Department of Homeland Security, the incident occurred Thursday during a targeted traffic stop conducted by U.S. Border Patrol agents. DHS officials said the passenger in the vehicle was a Venezuelan national illegally present in the United States and affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a gang authorities describe as involved in violent criminal activity, including prostitution and shootings.
DHS stated that when agents identified themselves, the driver attempted to use the vehicle as a weapon and tried to run over the officers. An agent then fired in self-defense, after which the driver fled the scene with the passenger. Federal officials later released images showing damage to a CBP vehicle, supporting their account of the encounter.
Despite those details, Portland city leaders and several Oregon Democrats sharply criticized federal law enforcement. Mayor Keith Wilson and Rep. Maxine Dexter accused federal agencies of escalating violence and undermining constitutional protections, arguing that immigration enforcement actions were contributing to fear and instability in the community.
During the press conference, Chief Day acknowledged that the federal government’s description of the incident was accurate and confirmed a connection between the individuals involved and Tren de Aragua. He said he initially hesitated to release that information, citing concerns about victim blaming and historical mistrust between law enforcement and marginalized communities.
The press conference drew mixed reactions, with some criticizing Day’s emotional remarks and his outreach to Portland’s Latino community. Others argued the focus should remain on public safety and criminal accountability. DHS later confirmed that one of the individuals shot had alleged ties to multiple shootings in the Portland area, as the investigation into the incident continues.
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