Two NYPD officers were shot early Monday morning by a Venezuelan migrant who crossed into the U.S. via Eagle Pass, Texas. The alleged shooter, 19-year-old Bernardo Castro Mata, was a suspect in several “snatch and grab” robbery investigations in Queens.
Mata was seen illegally operating a moped down a one-way street when police gave chase.
While in pursuit of Mata, one officer was shot in the leg while the other was hit in his bulletproof vest.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the rise of moped-related snatch-and-grab crimes in New York City.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny describes the perpetrator in last night's officer-involved shooting in East Elmhurst.
Is the shelter he mentioned being used for "migrants", as we delicately refer to them?
He also describes a brand-new phenomenon in New York City: Series… pic.twitter.com/Reec5ZPkCH
— Crime In NYC (@CrimeInNYC) June 3, 2024
From The New York Post:
During the pursuit, the teen allegedly pulled out an illegal gun and fired multiple rounds at the officers.
One of the officers, Christopher Abreu, 26, took a bullet to the leg while his partner, Richard Yarusso, also 26, was struck in the front of his bulletproof vest.
At least one of the officers returned fire and struck the alleged perp in the ankle.
Yarusso told responders that he was aware that he was struck in the chest, but to render aid to his partner first, sources said.
The teen has no criminal history in the Big Apple, but is a suspect in several “snatch and grab” robbery investigations in Queens — including one in which a woman was allegedly attacked and had her credit cards stolen, police said.
He has been living at the migrant shelter in the former Courtyard Marriott Hotel near LaGuardia Airport, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said.
Law enforcement sources told The Post he entered the US via Eagle Pass, Texas, in July of last year.
More over at The New York Post:
Gunman who shot 2 NYPD cops in Queens revealed to be migrant who recently crossed into US via Eagle Pass. DA @MelindaKatz what’s up?
Via @nypost pic.twitter.com/46EFhQSzBH
— Angie Wong (@angiewong) June 3, 2024
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