NEWYORK: New York city Mayor Eric Adams said that shooting incident on police officers is a senseless act of violence, a total disregard for life.
Speaking at media briefing, Mayor Adams said that our officers responded with a level of discipline, a level of focus, a level of professionalism. “Today we thank God. When I spoke with the parents of these officers, I could only think of my brother and I and the impact my mom would have. This is what we’re fighting every day,” he said.
“This department has removed over 15,000 illegal guns off our streets in the hands of dangerous people. Every day New Yorkers are not wearing this. I want to thank the police commissioner, men and women of the Police Department. We’re putting their lives on the line every day. If this is not a real symbol of that, then I don’t know what is.”
Police Commissioner Edward Caban said that we get another reminder of everything our officers do and what they do to put themselves on the line to make sure our city is safe.
“Every day, they go toward the danger. We saw it again earlier this morning at the 115th precinct,” he said.
Commissioner said that approximately 1:40 A.M., uniformed officers assigned to the 115th precinct public safety team were working to address a robbery pattern in the area involving perpetrators on mopeds and scooters. They observed 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. During the pursuit, the suspect fired multiple rounds at our 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. Both of our cops were taken to Elmhurst Hospital where they are being treated,” he said.
“Thankfully, they are both in stable condition. The suspect was also shot in the right ankle and he was removed to New York Presbyterian Queens by EMS also in stable condition.
“A firearm was recovered at the scene. 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,” he said.
Chief Detective Joe Kenny said that investigation is still ongoing. “What we know so far is that our shooter has been identified as Bernardo Raul Castro Mata. He is 19 years old. He has no prior arrest in New York City. However, he is a suspect in several robbery patterns currently going on in the borough of Queens,” detective said.
“This shooter currently resides at 90-10 Dittmars Boulevard, the former Courtyard Marriott Hotel, now being operated as the Landing Family Shelter. During tonight’s incident, Castro Mata was observed illegally operating an unregistered motorbike the wrong way down a one-way street,” he said.
“Similar scooters and bikes are being used citywide to commit crimes. These crimes include shootings, robberies, and phone snatches. Many of these crimes have all been committed by the perpetrators riding on scooters and motorbikes,” he said.
