In a emotional press conference, Portland Police Chief Bob Day confirmed the Department of Homeland Security's account of a shooting involving alleged Tren de Aragua gang members. The incident occurred during a Border Patrol stop on Thursday, where an agent fired defensively after the driver attempted to run over officers. Day hesitated to disclose the suspects' gang ties due to concerns over victim-blaming but ultimately shared the information.
The shooting took place on Thursday when U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted a targeted stop on a vehicle in Portland carrying two individuals allegedly affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based gang known for its brutality. According to a DHS statement, "When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents." The agent fired a defensive shot, injuring two people.
On Friday, Portland Police Chief Bob Day held a press conference where he admitted the involvement of Tren de Aragua. "What I can say is there is an association with the two folks yesterday and TDA," Day stated. He explained his initial reluctance to share this detail, citing "the historic injustice of victim-blaming oftentimes portrayed by law enforcement, including this very agency."
Day noted that historically, the department has not quickly disclosed suspects' criminal histories, but he felt compelled to do so after questions arose in a prior news conference. "This is information we have. This in no way draws a through-line to the actions or the behaviors that occurred yesterday," he emphasized.
Addressing the Latino community, Day became emotional and broke down in tears. "It saddens — it saddens me that we even have to qualify these remarks," he said. "Because I understand, or at least have attempted to understand through your voices, your concern, your fear, your anger — this information in no way meant to disparage or to condone or support or agree with any of the actions that occurred yesterday."
The chief stressed the importance of adhering to facts and the rule of law: "It's important that we stay committed to the rule of law, that we stay committed to the facts, that we stay … trustworthy and legitimate."
Journalist Andy Ngo commented on X that local Democratic leadership had initially organized a press conference to condemn federal agents and support the suspects, whom they called 'victims.' He added that media misled the public about the incident, and a mob attempted to attack an ICE facility, resulting in six arrests.
