A man accused of shooting two New York City police officers in Queens was brought to court on Wednesday. Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, 19, appeared in court from his hospital bed, facing charges including attempted murder, assault, and possessing a weapon. He is accused of shooting Officers Richard Yarusso and Christopher Abreu during a struggle.
Castro Mata was ordered to be held without bail. Prosecutors described him as a flight risk because he allegedly tried to escape from police before shooting the officers.
The incident occurred when Yarusso and Abreu were investigating a robbery pattern involving thieves on mopeds and scooters. They spotted Castro Mata riding a scooter without a helmet and riding in the wrong direction. When they tried to stop him, he ran away, leading to a chase on foot.
During the struggle, Castro Mata allegedly pulled out a gun from a bag and shot Yarusso and Abreu. Yarusso was wearing a bullet-resistant vest, which saved his life. Both officers were treated at a hospital and later released.
Castro Mata, who entered the country illegally last July, was staying at a migrant shelter in Queens. Police also seized illegal vehicles during a crackdown following the shooting.