On February 3, OPB published previously unreleased security footage from Fora Health in East Portland, capturing a distant, partial view of the January 8 encounter in which U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents shot and wounded two Venezuelan immigrants, Luis David Nino‑Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano‑Contreras. The footage—cloudy, silent, filmed from afar—adds visual context without resolving key questions about the timing or justification of the shooting.

The video shows a red pickup truck driving into a crowded parking lot across from Adventist Health Primary Care. Federally unmarked CBP vehicles appear on the periphery as agents surround the truck. Moments later, the driver, Nino‑Moncada, reverses, backing into another vehicle. He then moves forward and backward repeatedly, seemingly trying to evade the agents before driving off. Moments later, the victims called 911 from an apartment complex and were found wounded, one in the arm and one in the chest. The footage does not capture the moment of the shooting, and there is no audio, rendering it unclear when and why shots were fired. OPB obtained and published the footage in an edited format to protect privacy, after being provided the material by Fora Health in the interest of transparency. Fora Health did not interpret the video and noted it had already shared it with federal investigators. (OPB, Feb. 3)

The U.S. government had earlier maintained that the shooting occurred when Nino‑Moncada rammed a Border Patrol vehicle, prompting agents to fire in self-defense. Federal charging documents assert that Nino‑Moncada performed dangerous reverse‑and‑forward maneuvers that ultimately led to an agent shooting into the driver’s window. Authorities have also alleged ties between the two individuals and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua—claims contested by the defense as unverified and unwarranted. (OPB, Jan. 12 & Jan. 29; The Guardian, Feb. 2)

At the time of the shooting, federal investigators said they found no video evidence—no body camera footage from the agents, and no surveillance from the area. That claim now stands partially supplanted by the newly disclosed footage, although it remains incomplete. (OPB, Jan. 12; AP via Guardian, Feb. 2)

Why this matters: This incident has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement in Portland, prompting calls from local officials for a halt to operations pending accountability. The partial video raises new questions about when exactly the confrontation escalated and whether the agents’ narrative reflects what actually occurred. Without a clear visual record, key facts remain in dispute, and families and communities continue to demand clarity.

Federal court proceedings are underway: Nino‑Moncada faces misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault on a federal officer and damage to federal property. Zambrano‑Contreras faces illegal entry charges. A high-stakes trial is anticipated, potentially in March for Nino‑Moncada. The video may factor into the proceedings if evidence rules allow.

The partial security footage may not resolve the central question: Did Border Patrol agents act in lawful self-defense, or did they use excessive force during an enforcement action that escalated beyond control? As Portlanders await fuller answers, the only certainty remains the lack of clarity in what should have been a completely documented interaction with federal law enforcement.

Sources:

• OPB: “New security footage shows Border Patrol shooting in Portland from distance” (Feb. 3) OPB report
• OPB: Jan. 12 & Jan. 29 reporting on charges and video discovery
• The Guardian: “DHS’s account … falls apart in court” (Feb. 2) The Guardian analysis