Two illegal migrants federally charged in NYC shooting of off-duty CBP officer in the face
Two illegal migrants are facing federal charges for the shooting of an off-duty US Customs and Border Protection officer in Manhattan, officials announced on Thursday. Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, 21, has been charged with possession of ammunition by an illegal alien, while Christhian Aybar-Berroa, 22, has been charged with accessory after the fact for their involvement in the violent robbery on July 19.
The incident took place in Fort Washington Park, where the 42-year-old officer and his female companion were sitting along the Hudson River when they were ambushed by the two men on a moped late at night. Prior to the shooting, the suspects had allegedly stolen a cellphone from another woman in the park. Mora Nunez then approached the victims from behind and shot the officer in the face and arm, prompting the officer to return fire and strike Mora Nunez in the leg and groin.
Both suspects fled the scene on the moped and Mora Nunez was later arrested at a Bronx hospital where he sought treatment. Aybar-Berroa was arrested the following day. Surveillance video released by the Department of Homeland Security captured the harrowing incident, showing one suspect firing shots at the officer before fleeing on the moped.
Both men, who entered the country illegally during the Biden administration, are facing lengthy prison terms and removal orders from the United States. Mora Nunez crossed the US-Mexico border into Arizona in 2023 and has a history of arrests in New York City prior to the shooting. Aybar-Berroa crossed the border into Texas in 2022 and was released on parole before his immigration hearing. Despite a federal judge ordering his deportation in 2023, he continued to be arrested multiple times in New York City.
Aybar-Berroa faces over seven years in prison for his involvement in the shooting and is also a suspect in four other cases. He claimed to police that he was at the scene of the shooting but was unaware of his partner’s criminal activities. Both men could potentially face deportation in addition to serving their prison sentences.
In a statement, HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel emphasized the commitment to seeking justice for the DHS family and working alongside partners from CBP, NYPD, and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The incident underscores the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the consequences of illegal immigration and criminal activities.
