In a tragic incident early Monday morning, two New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers were shot by 19-year-old Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. The shooting occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. when officers attempted to pull over Castro Mata for driving a moped on the wrong side of the street near 82nd Street and 23rd Avenue. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban reported that during the pursuit, Castro Mata opened fire on the officers, striking one in the front of his bullet-resistant vest and the other in the leg. Both officers were taken to Elmhurst Hospital and are in stable condition.
Castro Mata, who entered the U.S. illegally through Eagle Pass, Texas, in July 2023, revealed that killing police officers is part of his culture, a statement that has shocked and outraged the community. He is linked to the Venezuelan TDA gang, and authorities suspect him of being involved in multiple robberies and criminal activities across New York City. His actions have been part of a disturbing trend of rising crime rates, with robberies up 300% over the past year, a surge attributed to the influx of illegal immigrants into the city.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny noted that Castro Mata resided at a converted Courtyard Marriott hotel, now functioning as a shelter for migrants. He is also believed to be part of a robbery pattern involving mopeds and scooters, with recent incidents including the theft of a woman’s credit card, which was later used in a Queens smoke shop. During the altercation with the officers, Castro Mata was shot in the ankle and received medical treatment at New York-Presbyterian Queens.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the methods used to smuggle firearms into the city, with Castro Mata admitting that guns are being brought into shelters through food deliveries. This revelation has prompted calls for stricter immigration controls and enhanced security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of protective gear, stating, “Because of this vest, a young police officer is going home.” The NYPD is committed to continuing its investigation into Castro Mata’s activities and the broader network of criminal operations that have endangered public safety.
