Sanctuary cities such as New York City and Los Angeles, which have long been a target of President Donald Trump for not adhering to his immigration enforcement policies, are now expected to face greater scrutiny from the federal government after a recent violent shooting.
On Saturday night, a 42-year-old off-duty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was shot near Riverside Park in New York City, per CBS News. At a press conference on Sunday, Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the officer, who is now in recovery, was sitting on the rocks with a friend in the park when two men on a moped approached them. Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, a 21-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic, whom the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says was detained at the border for entering the U.S. illegally in 2023 but was subsequently released, allegedly dismounted the moped and approached the officer from behind while displaying a firearm. At this point, the officer "realized he was being robbed and drew his service weapon in defense," said Tisch, who cited CCTV footage in her statement. "The perp fired first, and an exchange of gunfire followed."
The officer was then hit in the forearm and face, while Mora, who was injured in his leg and groin, reportedly fled the scene on the moped along with the driver. He was apprehended Sunday at a Bronx hospital following surgery for his wounds. Mora was wanted for a robbery and stabbing in New York, and had prior arrests for assault and violating a protective order, plus a Massachusetts extradition warrant for kidnapping, according to CBS News.
