Two individuals connected to the shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in New York City have been officially charged with additional offenses, officials revealed on Wednesday.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York City Mayor Eric Adams detailed the new state-level charges against Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa at a press conference.
New Charges Announced
Mora, suspected to be the shooter, now faces charges of attempted murder in the first and second degrees. Both suspects are also facing other charges such as assault, attempted robbery, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon. They are scheduled to appear in court later this month.
DA Bragg commended the officer for his courage and quick response despite being off duty.
“This officer demonstrated true bravery and swift action, even while off duty,” Bragg stated. “Violence against law enforcement or innocent citizens will not be tolerated.”
The Shooting Incident
According to authorities, the off-duty CBP officer was shot while sitting near the Little Red Lighthouse at Fort Washington Park in New York City. The suspects approached on a moped and one of them displayed a firearm, leading to the confrontation.
The officer was injured but managed to return fire, striking one of the suspects. Despite the serious injuries, the officer is expected to recover fully.
Federal Charges & Immigration Status
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that both suspects are illegal immigrants with previous criminal records. They are also connected to other ongoing investigations.
Authorities emphasized the impact of the attack on the broader law enforcement community, stating that justice will be pursued with the cooperation of various agencies.
Broader Investigations
Sources within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed that the suspects in this incident are believed to be the same individuals involved in an armed robbery in Massachusetts earlier this year.
Political Reactions
Following the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Border Patrol official Tom Homan visited the injured officer in the hospital. They both highlighted the need for stricter immigration enforcement and criticized sanctuary policies.
President Donald Trump also commented on the incident, praising the officer’s bravery and skill in defending against the attacker.
Collaboration Praised
Mayor Adams commended the swift coordination among law enforcement agencies that led to the apprehension of the suspects.
Overall, the joint efforts of various agencies resulted in the removal of two violent criminals from the streets, ensuring the safety of the community.
Greg Norman contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer covering a range of topics for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. For story tips and ideas, contact stepheny.price@fox.com
