Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Top News
Top News

Two NYC Police Officers Shot By Illegal Immigrant In Queens

U.S. Supreme Court allows Texas law on suspected illegal immigrants to take effect

Early Monday morning, two New York City police officers were shot in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens while chasing a suspect involved in a series of robberies. The suspect, identified as Bernardo Raul Castro Matta, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was driving a scooter the wrong way when the officers attempted to pull him over.

During the pursuit, the suspect fled on foot and opened fire on the officers, injuring one in the stomach area of his bullet-proof vest and the other in the leg. Both officers were quickly transported to nearby hospitals and are expected to make a full recovery.

Mayor Eric Adams condemned the shooting as a 'senseless act of violence' and highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers on a daily basis. The suspect, Castro Matta, was also wounded in the incident and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Police revealed that the gun used by the suspect was illegally possessed and that Castro Matta is a suspect in multiple robbery patterns in Queens. Despite having no prior arrests in New York City, the 19-year-old had entered the country illegally through Texas and was residing in a migrant shelter in Queens.

The incident sheds light on the increasing use of scooters and motorbikes in criminal activities across the city. Police reported a significant rise in crimes involving scooters, including shootings, robberies, and phone snatches over the past few years.

From January 1 to June 1, 2022, there were no reported robbery patterns involving scooters. However, in the same period in 2023, the number of incidents rose to 20. By June 1, 2024, there were over 80 such incidents reported, indicating a troubling trend in criminal behavior.

The wounded officers, with five and two years of service respectively, exemplify the risks faced by law enforcement personnel in their efforts to protect the community. The NYPD continues to investigate the incident and address the growing challenges posed by scooter-related crimes in the city.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.