Federal Charges Filed: Driver Shot in Portland Immigration Stop Now Faces Assault on Officer
In a developing case amid heightened national tensions over immigration enforcement, the driver wounded by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a targeted traffic stop in Portland, Oregon, has been charged with federal crimes. Portland immigration shooting, driver charged assault, Border Patrol self-defense, Tren de Aragua gang ties, and federal officer assault are trending as the Department of Justice unsealed charges against Luis David Nino-Moncada on January 12, 2026.
The incident unfolded on January 8, 2026, when Border Patrol agents, part of “Operation Oregon,” conducted a targeted vehicle stop on a red Toyota Tacoma in Southeast Portland’s medical office parking lot near Adventist Health. According to the federal complaint and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statements, agents identified themselves to the occupants—the driver, Nino-Moncada, and passenger Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras—prompting the driver to allegedly “weaponize” the vehicle.
DHS reported that Nino-Moncada put the truck in reverse, striking an unoccupied Border Patrol vehicle multiple times and causing significant damage exceeding $1,000. Fearing for his life, an agent fired defensive shots, wounding both individuals. The pair fled the scene, driving several miles to an apartment complex in Northeast Portland, where Nino-Moncada called 911 for help. Portland Police responded, applied first aid, and transported them to hospitals, where they remain in stable condition.
Here are scenes from the aftermath of the shooting, showing law enforcement presence and damaged vehicles at the site:
During an FBI interview, Nino-Moncada reportedly admitted to intentionally ramming the federal vehicle and acknowledged knowing the agents were immigration enforcement. He now faces charges of aggravated assault on a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon (the vehicle) and depredation of federal property over $1,000. He was booked into Multnomah County Detention Center on a U.S. Marshals hold.
DHS and Portland Police Chief Bob Day linked both individuals to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), describing Nino-Moncada as a believed member and Zambrano-Contreras as affiliated with the group’s prostitution activities, plus involvement in a prior Portland shooting. Nino-Moncada illegally entered the U.S. in 2022, with prior arrests for DUI and unauthorized vehicle use, while Zambrano-Contreras entered in 2023.
This Portland event follows closely on the heels of a January 7 fatal shooting in Minneapolis, where an ICE agent killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during a similar stop, sparking nationwide protests and scrutiny of federal tactics under the Trump administration.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, a Democrat, condemned the incident and called for ICE to halt operations in the city pending independent investigation, stating trust in federal accounts has eroded. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced a parallel probe into whether agents acted within lawful authority. The FBI leads the primary investigation into the “assault on federal officers.”
Public reactions remain polarized: Supporters of enforcement highlight self-defense against alleged gang members, while critics and immigrant advocates decry excessive force, pointing to a pattern in recent cases. Protests erupted outside Portland’s ICE facility, with arrests reported.
For U.S. readers, particularly in sanctuary-leaning cities like Portland, this underscores escalating friction between federal immigration efforts and local policies. Economically, it fuels debates on enforcement costs and community impacts; politically, it intensifies discussions on immigration reform amid rising gang concerns like TdA.
The case highlights user concerns around safety during stops and accountability in enforcement. As investigations continue, more details on body cam footage or witness accounts could emerge.
In summary, the charging of the driver shot in the Portland immigration operation marks a key development, framing the incident as an assault on federal officers amid self-defense claims. With parallel probes and public outcry, this story continues to shape conversations on Portland immigration shooting, driver charged assault, Border Patrol self-defense, Tren de Aragua gang ties, and federal officer assault nationwide.