Man Accused Of Shooting Two Cops Is Illegal Immigrant, NYPD Confirms

A man who allegedly shot two New York Police Department (NYPD) officers is living in the United States unlawfully, local law enforcement officials confirmed.

Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, a 19-year-old man from Venezuela, is accused of shooting two NYPD officers during a foot chase in the early morning hours of Monday, New York City officials announced. Officials also confirmed that Mata entered the U.S. illegally last year through Eagle Pass, Texas.

“What we know is that the shooter here, he entered the country from Venezuela. He entered through Eagle Pass, Texas, back in July of 2023,” Chief of Detectives, Joe Kenny, said during a press conference on Monday.

“We know that he entered the country illegally. The patterns that we’re looking at currently in Queens that he’s involved with and instances where a woman was attacked, her credit card was stolen, and eventually used in a Queens smoke shop,” Kenny continued.

The shooting took place early Sunday in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, according to the authorities. Two officers attempted to pull over a suspect on a moped driving the wrong way when the suspect, alleged to be Mata, fled on foot.

During the foot chase, the suspect fired multiple rounds at the officers, who then returned fire.

“One officer was shot in the front of his bullet resistant vest. The other officer was shot in his leg,” Police Commissioner Edward Caban said.

Both officers were taken to Elmhurst Hospital and said to be in “stable condition.” Mata was shot in the right ankle and taken to New York Presbyterian Queens by medical personnel.

Kenny also confirmed that Mata was living in the Landing Family Shelter, a former Courtyard Marriott Hotel that is currently being used to house migrants in the city. Police also noted that the gun Mata allegedly used was not legally owned.