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Suspects in NYPD officer-involved shooting and Texas Chick-fil-A incident identified as migrants

Lina Portman1 week ago

0 2 minutes read

Updated on June 28, 2024 at 06:22 IST

Recent cases involving migrants have highlighted serious concerns about violence and gang ties. Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta was charged in Texas with killing two people at a Chick-fil-A; his wife, who worked at the restaurant, identified him as the perpetrator. Bernardo Raul Castro Mata was charged with shooting two NYPD officers and smuggling guns into shelters.

Two migrants arrested in two separate shootings.

Who is Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta?

Officer Anthony Alexander of the Irving Police Department reports that around 4 p.m., authorities responded to several 911 calls regarding a shooting incident in the Las Colinas neighborhood, in the 5300 block of N. MacArthur Boulevard. When police arrived, they found two people suffering from gunshot wounds in a fast food restaurant. Shortly after arriving, paramedics pronounced both people dead.

Officer Alexander testified that the shooting occurred inside the Chick-fil-A building. Irving Police Department investigators obtained enough evidence to conclude that the victims were the intended targets. Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta, a 37-year-old suspect, left the scene before police arrived.

Mendoza Argueta’s wife, a Chick-fil-A employee, saw the shooting and positively identified her husband as the shooter, police said. As of 7:30 a.m. on June 27, Mendoza Argueta’s booking information included a detainer by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are notified through this detention, also known as an immigration detention, that ICE plans to take charge of a person currently in its custody.

Who is Bernardo Raul Castro Mata?

In another case, a grand jury indicted Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, 19, on attempted first-degree murder charges, who was arraigned Wednesday in Queens County Criminal Court. Earlier in June, Mata was accused of shooting two NYPD officers. His right arm was handcuffed to his wheelchair as he walked into the courtroom.

Prosecutors say Mata was riding a scooter the wrong way on a one-way street when he was shot by officers Richard Yarusso and Christopher Abreu in East Elmhurst. Mata, who is currently being held at Bellevue Hospital after living in a migrant shelter, admitted to police that he was a member of a Venezuelan gang, according to court documents.

According to Mata, in order to get past metal detectors, firearms are smuggled into shelters inside food delivery packages. He said that since Venezuelan police frequently shoot gang members for minor crimes, it is common for Tren de Aragua members to shoot police personnel. Mata has pleaded not guilty despite his confession, saying the gun was not his and that it malfunctioned during the confrontation with police.

Migrants and shootings

Significant concerns about violence and gang links have been highlighted by recent events involving migrants. Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta was charged in Texas with killing two people inside a Chick-fil-A; his wife, a restaurant employee, identified him as the person responsible. Bernardo Raul Castro Mata was accused of shooting two NYPD officers and smuggling weapons into shelters. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder in New York.

Who is Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta?

Who is Bernardo Raul Castro Mata?

Migrants and shootings

Lina Portman

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