Second suspect arrested in CBP officer shooting has lengthy criminal past, DHS says
By Greg Norman
Published July 21, 2025
The second illegal immigrant suspect arrested Monday in the shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer in New York City over the weekend has a lengthy criminal background, officials said.
Cristian Aybar Berroa of the Dominican Republic "illegally entered the United States on June 19, 2022, and was released into the country on interim parole pending his immigration hearing," according to the Department of Homeland Security.
He then allegedly committed a litany of crimes in New York City, including arrests for 2nd degree reckless endangerment in May 2023 and 4th degree felony grand larceny and petit larceny in March and April 2024, officials said.
Following the April 2024 arrest, "Despite an active ICE detainer, the New York City Department of Corrections released Berroa back onto NYC streets," Homeland Security said.
NOEM BLAMES 'SANCTUARY' POLICIES FOR MIGRANT ACCUSED OF SHOOTING OFF-DUTY CBP OFFICER
Berroa was then arrested by the New York City Police Department in February 2025 for 2nd degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving and for driving without a license, the DHS continued.
"On June 12, 2025, Berroa pled guilty to petit larceny at the Bronx County Supreme Court. This plea was made in consolidation of all his previous arrests, and he was conditionally discharged and allowed to roam the streets of NYC," it also said. "A judge ordered Berroa a final order of removal on January 3, 2023."
He and Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez are now expected to face federal charges in connection to the shooting at New York City's Fort Washington Park late Saturday, Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton announced Monday.
SHOOTER WHO OPENED FIRE ON BORDER PATROL AGENTS IN SOUTH TEXAS IDENTIFIED BY POLICE CHIEF
Officials believe the shooting happened during an attempted robbery.
"A witness of the attack stated that she and the victim were sitting on the rocks by the water when two subjects on a scooter drove up to them, dismounted the scooter and approached them with a firearm drawn. The off-duty CBP officer responded by withdrawing his own firearm in self defense. The CBP officer was shot in his right arm and left cheek. Thankfully, the officer is in stable condition at the hospital," Homeland Security said.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Monday that Berroa was the scooter driver in the incident.
"He was arrested eight times between March and April 2024 for grand larcenies and robberies involving a scooter in the Bronx," she said. "He's also a suspect in at least four additional cases. He entered this country illegally through Texas in 2022."
Multiple sources within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Fox News that the men involved in the shooting are believed to be the same men caught on video in an armed robbery of a business in Leominster, Massachusetts, in February.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Sources said in that incident – during which a store owner reportedly was bound with duct tape and held at gunpoint – two firearms were stolen.
Fox News' Bill Melugin contributed to this report. Print Close
URL
https://www.foxnews.com/us/second-suspect-arrested-cbp-officer-shooting-has-lengthy-criminal-past-dhs-says
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kansas sheriff's deputy shot and killed responding to domestic violence call
A 34-year-old Kansas sheriff's deputy was killed on Saturday when he was shot while responding to a domestic violence call, authorities said. Wyandotte County Sheriff's Deputy Elijah Ming was gunned down as he approached a home in Kansas City, Kansas, after a woman, concerned for her own safety, requested a deputy to accompany her as she moved out of the residence, officials said. Prior to the shooting, the woman informed police that a man with a gun inside the house had earlier threatened her and her friends when she first attempted to move out, according to officials. 'Deputy Ming gave his life serving Wyandotte County and all of its residents,' Wyandotte County Sheriff Daniel Soptic said at a news conference on Saturday, also noting that Ming was a 9-year veteran of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office. The shooting occurred at around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday in southwest Kansas City, according to Chief Karl Oakman of the Kansas City Police Department. Deputy Ming and an officer from the Kansas City Police Department went to the home to assist the woman move when a man inside opened fire on them without warning, striking Ming, Oakman said. The Kansas City Police officer was not injured, he said. Other officers raced to the house upon hearing of the shooting, according to Oakman. "As the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department was responding, the individual continued to fire on the responding officers, who then returned fire," Oakman said. MORE: Officer dies after gunman opens fire in 'ambush attack' in Ohio: Police Oakman said the suspect, later identified by law enforcement as 38-year-old Shawn Harris, was wounded in the gunfight and retreated back into the home, where he barricaded himself. Police negotiators spent about an hour talking to Harris over the phone before he surrendered, Oakman said. Harris was taken to a hospital to be treated, Oakman said, and was listed in good condition as of Saturday night. MORE: Shooting suspect ID'd in Santa Monica police officer 'ambush': Officials After visiting with Ming's family at the hospital, Kansas City Mayor Tyrone Gardner requested that the community to pray for them. "There are no words or comfort that can ever ease the pain of losing someone you love to senseless violence," said Gardner. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe into the shooting and will present its findings to the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office to decide what charges to file against the suspect, according to officials.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Police looking to identify suspect who allegedly spat on, assaulted MBTA riders minutes apart
MBTA police are asking for help identifying a suspect who allegedly assaulted two people minutes apart at the Downtown Crossing Station earlier this month. On July 14, around 4:30 p.m., police say the suspect spat on one victim before hitting a 69-year-old woman around 15 minutes later at Downtown Crossing. Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact MBTA Transit police at 617-222-1050. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Fox News
13 minutes ago
- Fox News
Border expert says maritime interdictions create 'unique challenges' for law enforcement
Simon Hankinson, senior research fellow in the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital that maritime interdictions create a unique danger for law enforcement authorities.
