Two New York Police Department officers in Queens were reportedly shot by an illegal alien from Venezuela this week.
Officers Richard Yarusso and Christopher Abreu were shot while investigating a robbery pattern.
“They observe a male suspect drive a moped the wrong way on 82nd Street near 23rd Avenue and attempted to pull him over. The suspect then fled on foot, and our officers began a foot pursuit, which led for several blocks,” Police Commissioner Edward Caban said. “During the pursuit, the suspect fired multiple rounds at our officers, who then returned fire.”
“We visited the officers and their families a few moments ago, they’re in good spirits, and the NYPD stands at the ready to assist them in the full recovery,” Caban continued.
Bernardo Castro Mata, a 19-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela, has been identified as the main perpetrator in the case.
In November 2023, a caravan of an estimated 5,000 illegal immigrants was seen on its way to the United States from Mexico.
One family of migrants told Reuters at the time, “In Venezuela things are very tough, we can’t live with the money we get, it’s not enough for us, and that’s why we’re going to the United States.”
The National Pulse reported that New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) deployed National Guard members last month to help Venezuelans apply for federal employment authorization.
“It is critical that we help secure work authorization for asylum seekers and migrants in New York,” she said. “We need to ensure individuals can navigate the paperwork necessary to get them established here so they can work and start making their American Dream a reality.”
