NYPD arrests 15-year-old immigrant accused of attempted murder of police officer

The New York Police Department arrested a 15-year-old immigrant who was considered “armed and dangerous” on Friday, as he is suspected of shooting at a police officer and injuring a tourist near Manhattan’s Times Square.

Law enforcement sources told CBS New York on Friday afternoon that Jesus Alejandro Rivas-Figueroa, 15, who is from Venezuela and arrived in New York City less than six months ago, was taken into custody in Yonkers. More details are expected to come at a news conference at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Chief of Patrol John Chell told reporters on Friday ahead of Rivas-Figueroa’s arrest that the teenager arrived in the city in September and was staying in a migrant shelter at the Stratford Hotel on West 70th Street. The teenager is also a suspect in an armed robbery in the Bronx that occurred on Jan. 27 and another incident where shots were fired in Midtown, the chief said.

“He had no problems firing into a crowd at a store…and not shooting at cops once, but shooting at them twice,” Chell said, referring to Rivas-Figueroa, via the New York Post. “We’re not gonna put up with this.”

On Thursday night, a trio of males between ages 15 and 20 were stopped by security guards who suspected them of shoplifting clothes at JD Sports in Times Square. A female security guard took stolen merchandise in a bag away from the suspects, at which point a suspect wearing all white, Rivas-Figueroa, pulled out a .45-caliber handgun and fired in her direction.

The bullet missed the security guard but struck a nearby 37-year-old female tourist from Brazil who was shopping in the store, according to police. She was struck in her left knee and barricaded herself in a storage room before a security guard took her to the hospital in stable condition, sources told the New York Post.

The suspects ran from the store, with police chasing after them. Rivas-Figueroa then allegedly fired at police officers while he was fleeing the scene, heading into the subway system. Officers had offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information on his whereabouts.

“An attack on a cop is an attack on all of us! Take a good look at this wanted flyer,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said in a post on Thursday night. “This coward shot at a hard working, innocent New Yorker and then opened fire on one of our officers. Those cops did what we all expect them to do — they went toward the danger. This individual continues to pose a danger and must be caught immediately. Help us protect all New Yorkers by bringing him to justice.”

An attack on a cop is an attack on all of us! Take a good look at this wanted flyer. This coward shot at a hard working, innocent New Yorker and then opened fire on one of our officers. Those cops did what we all expect them to do — they went toward the danger. This individual… pic.twitter.com/YKBb6UJJSa

— NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) February 9, 2024

The NYPD began circulating photos of Rivas-Figueroa last night and continued throughout Friday.

NYPD officers arrested a second 15-year-old suspect on Thursday and took a 16-year-old suspect into custody on Friday morning. Another suspect was arrested but released after investigators determined he had nothing to do with the incident, police said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

This is the latest display of violence and crime stemming from immigrants who are residing in New York City. On Thursday, a Manhattan grand jury indicted seven immigrants in the assault of two NYPD officers on felony and obstruction charges. On Monday, the NYPD arrested several immigrants in connection with a citywide cellphone robbery spree.

Recent immigrant arrests continue the debate over whether to charge bail for immigrants accused of felonies; they also connect to the broader argument over how New York should be handling the border crisis. According to a recent press release from Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), Texas has bused over 37,600 immigrants to New York City since August 2022. NYC Mayor Eric Adams has reported that over 157,000 immigrants have arrived in New York City since last year, many requiring housing and other resources.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Telegram
Tumblr