June 03, 2024 QUEENS, New York – Two officers were shot by a Venezuelan migrant teen on a moped who was fleeing a traffic stop early Sunday morning in East Elmhurst, Queens, cops said.
According to officials, just before 2:00 a.m., Officers investigating a robbery pattern involving mopeds and scooters in the area witnessed Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, 19, driving the wrong way, against traffic near at 89th Street & 23rd Avenue in Elmhurst and attempted to pull him over.
Police officials say, the teen dumped the moped and fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, Mata, allegedly brandished an illegal firearm and shot several rounds at NYPD officers.
During a press conference it was revealed that 26-year-old officer Christopher Abreu was shot in the leg and his partner Richard Yarusso, also 26, took a gunshot to the torso that struck his bulletproof vest, authorities said.
Officers returned fire and one struck the suspected gunman in the ankle. Mata was transported by Ambulance to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens for further treatment.
Officials also stated the alleged teen shooter is a suspect in several “snatch and grab” robbery investigations in Queens and has been residing at a migrant shelter in the former Courtyard Marriott Hotel near LaGuardia Airport.
The 19-year-old suspect was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment in stable condition. A firearm was recovered at the scene, cops say. The shooting incident is under review by the NYPD Force Investigation Division.