Manhattan DA charges suspects in shooting case of off-duty Customs and Border Patrol agent.
State prosecutors in Manhattan have filed charges against two suspects involved in the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer in Fort Washington Park on July 19. Miguel Mora, 21, faces serious charges including attempted murder in both the first and second degrees, while his alleged accomplice, Christhian Aybar, 22, has been similarly charged. Both individuals are also facing counts of assault, robbery, criminal weapon possession, and other offenses, culminating in an 11-count indictment that was unsealed in Manhattan Supreme Court. Notably, these suspects are already confronting federal charges related to the incident.
During a press conference, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg detailed the events leading up to the shooting. According to Bragg, the two men had plotted a series of robberies using WhatsApp messaging on the day of the incident. They allegedly arrived at the park on a moped around 11:45 p.m., where they first targeted a 39-year-old woman seated on a bench, forcibly taking her phone.
Following this initial robbery, Mora and Aybar reportedly proceeded north toward the George Washington Bridge, where they encountered the off-duty agent who was with a female companion. Mora dismounted the moped, approached stealthily, and brandished a firearm, allegedly aiming it at the agent’s head. In response, the agent drew his own weapon, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The agent sustained injuries to the face, hand, and wrist, while Mora was reportedly shot in the thigh and groin. The agent is currently recovering after a hospital stay.
Aybar allegedly drove Mora to a Bronx emergency room, where Mora was ultimately arrested. Aybar was apprehended the following day by federal authorities. Both men are facing additional federal charges being administered by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office. These charges include one count of possession of ammunition against Mora, while Aybar is accused of being an accessory after the fact, purportedly serving as a getaway driver.
Bragg chose not to comment on the condition of Mora when queried, but praised the off-duty officer for his quick response to a life-threatening situation.
The arraignments for Mora and Aybar are scheduled for the week of August 18. In a broader context, immigration officials are reportedly utilizing this case to highlight concerns over violent crime in sanctuary cities, a topic that has significant political implications. Nevertheless, recent data from the NYPD indicate that shootings in the city have reached an all-time low.
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