The suspected gunman who shot two NYPD officers early this week has been identified as a South American immigrant.
June 3, 2024, published at 12:00 PM ET
The suspected gunman who shot two NYPD officers was identified as a South American immigrant who had just crossed into the United States last year. RadarOnline.com has learned.
In a surprising development that will take place shortly afterwards two NYPD officers were shot early Monday morning in Elmhurst, Queens, it was revealed that the suspected shooter was a 19-year-old immigrant from Venezuela named Bernardo Castro Mata.
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Two NYPD officers were shot early Monday morning in Elmhurst, Queens by a suspect, since identified as an immigrant from Venezuela named Bernardo Mata.
Mata reportedly entered the U.S. through Eagle Pass, Texas, in July 2023, according to law enforcement officials who spoke to The New York Post shortly after the shooting on Monday morning.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban also revealed that Mata was living in a former Courtyard Marriott Hotel near LaGuardia Airport, which had recently been converted into a migrant shelter.
The shocking shooting is believed to have occurred around 1:40 a.m. Monday near the corner of 89th Street and 23rd Avenue in Queens.
The NYPD officers – Christopher Abreu And Richard Yarussoboth 26 – allegedly tried to stop Mata as he drove a motorized scooter the wrong way on an Elmhurst street.
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Mata reportedly entered the US in July 2023 through Eagle Pass, Texas.
According to the AfterMata quickly threw the scooter away and fled on foot from officers Abreu and Yarusso. He then allegedly pulled out an illegally obtained handgun and fired a slew of bullets at the two NYPD officers.
Officer Yarusso was hit by at least one bullet in the chest – although he was protected by the bulletproof vest he was wearing. Officer Abreau was shot in the leg.
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“This could have ended very differently,” Commissioner Caban said of the shooting during a press conference held early Monday morning.
“This vest makes a young police officer go home,” says the mayor of New York Eric Adams added. “A senseless act of violence. Total disregard for life.”
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“Today we thank God,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said after the shooting.
“Our officers responded with a level of discipline, a level of focus, a level of professionalism,” Mayor Adams added. “Today we thank God.”
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Both Officer Abreau and Officer Yarusso were rushed to Elmhurst General Hospital after the shooting. They were said to be in 'good spirits' and were later given a guard of honor as they were released from hospital on Monday morning.
As for Mata, he was reportedly hit in the ankle during the surprise gunfight. He was later taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens to undergo surgery.
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The illegally obtained gun that the suspected shooter used Monday morning.
Although Mata had no criminal history before the shooting incident in Queens on Monday morning, the 19-year-old Venezuelan immigrant was reportedly a suspect in several “snatch and grab” robberies in the New York City borough.
Mata allegedly attacked a female victim and stole her credit cards sometime before the shooting early this week.
