An off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Safety officer was shot late Saturday night time throughout an tried theft at a park in New York Metropolis, the Division of Homeland Safety confirmed Sunday.
The taking pictures occurred shortly after 11:50 p.m. Saturday close to the historic Little Crimson Lighthouse at Riverside Park in Washington Heights. The scene is situated underneath the George Washington Bridge on the Manhattan aspect.
Federal and metropolis authorities say an individual of curiosity has been taken into custody, and the search continues for a second.
Off-duty CBP officer recovering after NYC taking pictures
New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch for an update Sunday afternoon. He stated the off-duty officer was within the park with a buddy when two suspects pulled up on a moped.
“One male dismounted the scooter, displayed a firearm and approached the 2 who had been simply attempting to benefit from the metropolis, like so many people do through the sizzling night hour,” Adams stated.
The officer was shot within the face and forearm, and he returned fireplace, Adams stated. He was rushed to NYC Well being + Hospitals/Harlem in secure situation and is anticipated to outlive his accidents.
“I simply visited the officer as he makes his restoration. His mother and his relations had been there, they usually thanked town for his or her response,” stated Adams.
The police commissioner stated the particular person of curiosity walked into Bronx Care Hospital at 12:18 a.m. with gunshot wounds to his groin and leg. He was transferred to Lincoln Hospital, the place he underwent surgical procedure.
“The NYPD is working hand-in-hand with Customs and Border Safety by means of the HSI Violent Gang Taskforce to substantiate that the particular person of curiosity in custody is the perp who shot the officer, in addition to discover and apprehend his confederate,” Tisch stated.
She added it doesn’t seem the officer was focused due to his occupation.
Individual of curiosity had order for deportation, in line with DHS
A Division of Homeland Safety spokesperson stated the particular person of curiosity who’s now in custody entered the nation illegally and had an order for deportation.
Adams stated the 21-year-old was needed in reference to a theft within the Bronx final December and a stabbing in January, and that he has prior arrests for assault and violating an order of safety.
“In lower than one yr, he has inflicted violence in our metropolis. And as soon as he’s charged for final night time’s crime, we can add tried homicide to his rap sheet,” stated Adams. “This particular person additionally had an extradition warrant from Massachusetts for kidnapping and was the topic of a federal deportation order after illegally coming into the nation in 2023.”
“He’s at the moment in our custody at Lincoln Hospital and is anticipated to be arrested as we speak,” Tisch stated.
Adams stated he spoke with President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, who’s now headed to New York Metropolis.
“Shocked and stunned”
Individuals out exercising alongside the Hudson River Greenway early Sunday morning stated they had been shocked to see the crime scene.
“It’s extremely regarding. I used to be coming down right here on the Greenway and I noticed the crime scene,” Englewood, New Jersey resident Marcelo Candeo stated. “I am very shocked and stunned. I hope he is doing properly and he will get a full restoration. I am very shocked.”
“That is essentially the most peaceable a part of New York I can discover, so it is a shock to listen to that something like this occurred,” Kips Bay resident Kovan Pillai stated. “I do not know what this place is like late at night time. I think about, now that you simply inform me this, that it is in all probability not the most secure of locations to be.”
Anybody with details about the taking pictures is requested to name the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can even submit a tip via their website. All calls are stored confidential.
