A teenage individual who shot a woman at a Times Square clothing store Thursday night before opening fire on New York City police officers was apprehended Friday afternoon after a short search.
A 15-year-old individual named Jesus Alejandro Rivas-Figureoa was apprehended by the US Marshals Service in Yonkers, New York, without any complications, around 3:30 p.m., in close proximity to the Bronx. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban mentioned that the suspect has a family connection to the suburb.
“The shooting incident last night in Times Square was incredibly dangerous,” Caban stated during a Friday evening news conference to announce the arrest. “In a bustling and heavily populated area of the city, an individual with a weapon makes the fateful decision to discharge it.”
During a previous press conference, officials mentioned that the teenager had been residing in a temporary shelter following their migration from Venezuela. According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, he arrived in the US in September and was residing at the Stratford Arms Hotel, a place known for accommodating migrants.
Rivas-Figureoa was involved in an incident where a group of teenagers entered a store and took some clothing without paying. According to Chell, the merchandise was successfully recovered after a security guard intervened. “At this moment, the individual retrieves a .45 caliber handgun… “Shoots at her into a crowd,” Chell stated.
A 38-year-old woman visiting from Brazil was unfortunately struck in the leg by gunfire, as Rivas-Figureoa missed his intended target, according to the police. According to authorities, a woman who remains unidentified was waiting in line to buy a pair of sneakers when she suddenly fled and took cover in the rear of the store.
Two of the teenagers left the scene while one of the 15-year-olds was apprehended by the officers who arrived at the scene. Another officer pursued Rivas-Figureoa.
A 16-year-old individual was apprehended on Friday morning. Investigators are continuing their efforts to establish the roles of the suspects involved in Thursday’s shooting.
According to a Brazilian official familiar with the situation, the woman who was shot sustained a graze from a bullet, as reported by Fox News Digital. According to the authorities, she received medical attention at a nearby hospital and was subsequently discharged. According to the official, she is set to come back to Brazil on Saturday.
“The Police Department provided exceptional assistance and support to the individual,” the official stated. “The mayor’s office has not made contact, but it seems unnecessary since the Police Department provided great support and she was not seriously injured.” She appears to be in good health and this seems to be a minor matter.” During his briefing, Chell commended the actions of the police officer who refrained from returning fire in a densely populated area.
NYC Shooting Suspect Linked to String of Crimes
According to Chell, Rivas-Figureoa is believed to be involved in an armed robbery in the Bronx and a shots-fired incident in Midtown Manhattan, in addition to Thursday’s shooting.
There was another shooting incident that occurred in Times Square, which happened about two weeks after a previous incident where a group of migrants attacked two NYPD officers. Several individuals involved in that case have been indicted, but only one is currently being held in custody.