Second suspect apprehended in shooting of Customs and Border Patrol officer in Manhattan.
A second suspect has been apprehended in connection with the shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer during a failed robbery in Upper Manhattan, according to an announcement by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Monday. The 42-year-old officer remains hospitalized in critical condition as he continues to fight for his life.
The most recent suspect, a 22-year-old man from the Dominican Republic residing in the Bronx, was taken into custody on an immigration warrant in Queens following the incident. The pending charges against him have not yet been disclosed as authorities continue to investigate the case.
The incident occurred late on the evening of Saturday, July 19, 2025, while the officer was sitting leisurely in Fort Washington Park near West 178th Street. Law enforcement reports indicate that two armed robbers approached him on a moped just before midnight. Surveillance footage released by the Homeland Security Department captures the moment the assailants confronted the officer, who was with a companion at the time.
In a sudden escalation, one of the robbers, identified later as 21-year-old Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, approached the victim brandishing a firearm. A brief struggle ensued, during which Mora Nunez fired at the officer, who subsequently returned fire, wounding the assailant. Authorities disclosed that Mora Nunez later sought medical attention at a nearby hospital, where he remains in custody without charged as investigations unfold.
Mora Nunez, a citizen of the Dominican Republic with an extensive criminal history, is currently in the United States illegally, raising concerns regarding both his legal status and past behaviors. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the rising crime rates in the area, have sparked discussions among law enforcement and community leaders about public safety and the effectiveness of crime deterrent measures.
The name of the second suspect arrested remains confidential as authorities continue their work to secure further evidence and ascertain the full details of the incident, which has garnered significant public interest.
This incident takes place amidst heightened concerns regarding safety in urban areas and sparks further dialogue about the ongoing efforts to address crime and its impact on both citizens and law enforcement officials.
