Video credit: Justin Finch, Julie Millet, Justin Finch, Julie Millet, Erin Pflaumer
Updated: JUN 3, 2024 / 09:49 AM CDT
EAST ELMHURST, Queens (PIX11) – The man accused of shooting two police officers in the Queens area of New York early Monday is a migrant who entered the U.S. illegally last year, according to the NYPD.

Police identified the suspect as 19-year-old Bernardo Raul Castro-Mata, originally from Venezuela.

Castro-Mata allegedly drove a scooter the wrong way down a one-way street in East Elmhurst when the officers tried to pull him over, according to the NYPD.

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He ditched the scooter and ran from the officers before opening fire, shooting the two officers, police said.

Here’s what we know about Castro-Mata so far.

Castro-Mata crossed into the U.S. at Eagle Pass, Texas, last July, according to NYPD Det. Joseph Kenny. He is currently staying at a migrant shelter located at 90-10 Ditmars Blvd. in East Elmhurst.

Castro-Mata has no prior arrests in New York City, but he is suspected in several robberies involving motorized scooters, Kenny said. Police believe Castro-Mata did not operate alone, and is part of a crew using scooters to commit crimes, according to the NYPD.

“We’re looking at him for several other robbery patterns in the Queens area where he does have other co-defendants,” Kenny said during a briefing Monday morning.

In one incident, Castro-Mata is suspected of attacking a woman and stealing her credit card, according to the NYPD. The credit card was later used at a Queens smoke shop.

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Castro-Mata was also shot during the shootout with the officers, police said. He underwent surgery on his ankle Monday morning at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens.

The gun Castro-Mata allegedly used in the shooting was illegal, according to the NYPD. It was recovered at the scene.

The officers who were shot were expected to be OK, police said. Both officers were treated and released from NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst on Monday morning.

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