Two NYC Police Officers Shot by Suspect in Queens, Mayor Calls for Action

Early Monday morning, two New York City police officers were shot in Queens while chasing a suspect involved in a pattern of robberies. The suspect, identified as Bernardo Raul Castro Matta, is an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. The officers, part of the 115th Precinct’s public safety unit, attempted to pull over the male suspect driving a scooter the wrong way when the suspect fled on foot.

Shooting Incident

The shooting occurred just before 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of 89th Street and 23rd Avenue in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens. During the foot chase, the suspect shot at the officers, resulting in one officer being shot in the stomach area of his bullet-proof vest and the other being shot in the leg. Both officers were rushed to hospitals in stable condition and are expected to recover.

Suspect's Background

The suspect, Bernardo Raul Castro Matta, a 19-year-old, was found to have entered the country illegally through Eagle Pass, Texas. He was residing at a former Courtyard Marriott hotel in Queens, currently being used as a migrant shelter. Although he had no prior arrests in New York City, the police identified him as a suspect in multiple robbery patterns in Queens.

Mayor's Response

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, during a press conference from Elmhurst Hospital, condemned the shooting as a "senseless act of violence" and a "total disregard for life." He held up a wounded officer’s bulletproof vest with a bullet hole, emphasizing the risk faced by the city's law enforcement officers on a daily basis.

Suspect's Injuries and Arrest

The suspect was also shot in his right ankle and taken to a hospital. Police recovered the gun used in the shooting from the scene, which was found to be illegally possessed by the suspect.