In a shocking incident unfolding in Queens, New York, a teenage Venezuelan migrant allegedly shot two NYPD officers during a routine traffic stop. Bernardo Raul Castro-Mata, 19, reportedly opened fire on the officers after they attempted to pull him over for driving an illegal scooter the wrong way down a one-way highway.
The gunfire erupted just before 2 a.m. when police approached Castro-Mata, who responded by wielding an unlicensed firearm and shooting at the officers. One officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while the other was hit in the bulletproof vest. Despite being injured, Castro-Mata managed to flee the scene on foot.
Although Castro-Mata had no prior arrests in New York City, authorities suspect his involvement in a group that employs scooters to carry out violent robberies in the Queens area. According to NYPD Detective Joseph Kenny, investigations into other robbery patterns involving Castro-Mata are ongoing.
Castro-Mata, who entered the U.S. from Venezuela via Eagle Pass, Texas, last July, was residing in a migrant shelter close to the scene of the shooting. During the altercation with officers, he sustained a gunshot wound to the ankle and underwent surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens.
The recovered unlicensed gun used in the shooting further implicates Castro-Mata in the incident. Photographs from the scene depict him being taken away on a stretcher, handcuffed, and visibly distressed.
Meanwhile, the two injured officers were hailed as heroes as they left Elmhurst Hospital. Despite the harrowing ordeal, they received a standing ovation from onlookers as they exited the hospital, underscoring the community’s support for law enforcement.
The incident has reignited discussions surrounding immigration policies, particularly in light of recent reports indicating a surge in dismissals of immigration court cases for migrants entering the U.S. illegally. Under President Biden’s administration, a significant portion of asylum claims have been granted, raising questions about border security and the handling of immigration-related matters.
As investigations into the shooting continue, authorities are intensifying efforts to address concerns regarding illegal immigration and ensure the safety of communities across the nation.
