Two individuals arrested in NYC border agent shooting charged with illegal possession of ammunition and status as undocumented immigrants.
Two men from the Dominican Republic have been charged with federal offenses in relation to the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer in upper Manhattan, according to a statement from federal authorities. The accused individuals, identified as Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, aged 21, and Christhian Aybar-Berroa, aged 22, face charges pertaining to the illegal possession of ammunition while being in the United States unlawfully. The specific rationale for the absence of attempted murder or assault charges has yet to be clarified.
The incident occurred on July 19, when the off-duty officer was engaging in leisure activities with a companion at Fort Washington Park. Around 11:50 p.m., two men approached them on a moped and initiated a robbery attempt. Surveillance footage captured one of the suspects, later determined to be Mora Nunez, exiting the moped armed with a firearm. Following a brief confrontation, Mora Nunez discharged his weapon, striking the officer in the face, after which he sought cover.
In response, the officer returned fire, hitting Mora Nunez. Reports indicate that his accomplice then transported him via moped to a nearby hospital, where he received treatment for gunshot wounds to his leg and groin. The wounded officer was subsequently transported to Harlem Hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
Federal authorities revealed that Mora Nunez had illegally entered the United States through Arizona in 2023. He has a prior criminal history involving two arrests for domestic violence in New York and is wanted for further allegations of robbery and felony assault. In addition, he is wanted in Massachusetts on charges related to stolen weapons.
Aybar-Berroa, who also entered the U.S. illegally, shares a similar criminal background and is linked to a series of robberies, according to law enforcement sources.
If convicted, Mora Nunez could face a sentence of up to 15 years, while Aybar-Berroa may receive a sentence of seven and a half years.
In a related political development, the former President has initiated a federal lawsuit against New York City and its Mayor, seeking to abolish sanctuary city policies. This filing underscores a belief that such policies contribute to a rise in violent crime involving illegal immigrants, with the Fort Washington Park incident cited as a key piece of evidence. However, current statistics indicate a decline in major crimes citywide, reporting a 26% decrease in murders and a 22% decrease in shootings when compared to earlier figures in 2025.
These ongoing legal and sociopolitical maneuvers signal a complex interplay between public safety concerns, immigration policy, and crime trends in New York City. Media News Source.
