Two illegal migrants have been hit with federal charges for the shooting of an off-duty US Customs and Border Protection officer who took a bullet to the face during a violent Manhattan robbery, officials announced Thursday.
Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, 21, was charged with possession of ammunition by an illegal alien, and fellow Dominican Republic national Christhian Aybar-Berroa, 22, was hit with accessory after the fact for the July 19 shooting, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Mora Nunez is accused of shooting the 42-year-old officer — who fired back with his own gun during the confrontation Saturday in Fort Washington Park — while Aybar-Berroa allegedly helped with the robbery, officials said.
“As alleged, Miguel Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa came to a New York City park and Mora Nunez opened fire—hitting a federal officer in the face,” US Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement.
“Gun violence will not go unanswered. Our office will relentlessly pursue anyone who threatens the safety of New Yorkers and the federal officers sworn to protect them.”
The 42-year-old federal agent and a female companion were sitting on a rock along the Hudson River in the upper Manhattan park when they were ambushed by the two men on a moped around 11:50 p.m., according to police sources.
After a brief exchange and tussle, one of the moped-riding men fired a gun and hit the victim in the face and left forearm.
The agent then drew his own pistol and fired multiple shots at the perps, hitting the suspect.
Mora was struck and wounded by the return gunfire, sources said.
Harrowing video released by DHS caught one suspect hopping off the moped and approaching the CBP officer before firing shots at him — then reeling back after the officer returned fire. The suspects eventually fled on the moped, the video showed.
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