BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Migrant who shot 2 police officers in Queens crossed into US illegally: NYPD

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

EAST ELMHURST, Queens (PIX11) – The man accused of shooting two police officers in the Queens area of New York early Monday is a migrant who entered the U.S. illegally last year, according to the NYPD.

Police identified the suspect as 19-year-old Bernardo Raul Castro-Mata, originally from Venezuela.

Castro-Mata allegedly drove a scooter the wrong way down a one-way street in East Elmhurst when the officers tried to pull him over, according to the NYPD.

He ditched the scooter and ran from the officers before opening fire, shooting the two officers, police said.

Here’s what we know about Castro-Mata so far.

Castro-Mata crossed into the U.S. at Eagle Pass, Texas, last July, according to NYPD Det. Joseph Kenny. He is currently staying at a migrant shelter located at 90-10 Ditmars Blvd. in East Elmhurst.

Castro-Mata has no prior arrests in New York City, but he is suspected in several robberies involving motorized scooters, Kenny said. Police believe Castro-Mata did not operate alone, and is part of a crew using scooters to commit crimes, according to the NYPD.

“We’re looking at him for several other robbery patterns in the Queens area where he does have other co-defendants,” Kenny said during a briefing Monday morning.

In one incident, Castro-Mata is suspected of attacking a woman and stealing her credit card, according to the NYPD. The credit card was later used at a Queens smoke shop.

Castro-Mata was also shot during the shootout with the officers, police said. He underwent surgery on his ankle Monday morning at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens.

The gun Castro-Mata allegedly used in the shooting was illegal, according to the NYPD. It was recovered at the scene.

The officers who were shot were expected to be OK, police said. Both officers were treated and released from NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst on Monday morning.

Border Report

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

58°F Sunny Feels like 58°
Wind
4 mph NE
Humidity
66%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable.
48°F Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
4 mph N
Precip
2%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent