Federal authorities have charged two illegal immigrants from the Dominican Republic in connection with the shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer last weekend in Manhattan.
Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, 21, and Cristian Aybar Berroa, 22, were arrested following the Saturday night attack at Fort Washington Park. Mora Nunez faces a federal charge of possession of ammunition by an illegal alien, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Aybar Berroa was charged with being an accessory after the fact, a felony that could result in up to 7.5 years behind bars.
“As alleged, these defendants entered and spent years in our country illegally, and their criminal activity culminated in Saturday night’s near-deadly attack on one of our own,” said Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New York.
SHOOTING DETAILS
According to investigators, Mora Nunez allegedly shot the off-duty CBP officer in the face and arm during a confrontation at the park. The wounded officer returned fire, striking Mora Nunez. Aybar Berroa then helped him flee the scene on a motorbike and transported him to a hospital.
After the incident, Aybar Berroa reportedly tried to dispose of blood-soaked clothing and discussed the need to get rid of the evidence with a family member of Mora Nunez.
Both suspects entered the U.S. illegally and are currently subject to final orders of removal, federal officials confirmed.
CRIMINAL HISTORY & PREVIOUS ICE DETAINERS
Officials say Aybar Berroa has a lengthy criminal record in New York City. He was previously arrested in May 2023 for second-degree reckless endangerment, and in early 2024 for fourth-degree grand larceny and petit larceny. He was also arrested in February 2025 for reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangerment, and operating a vehicle without a license.
Despite multiple arrests and an active detainer filed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the New York City Department of Corrections released Aybar Berroa back onto city streets following his April 2024 arrest.
On June 12, 2025, he pled guilty to petit larceny in Bronx County Supreme Court and received a conditional discharge.
ICE sources say Berroa and Mora Nunez are also believed to be connected to an armed robbery at a business in Leominster, Massachusetts, back in February.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that Aybar Berroa had been arrested eight times between March and April 2024 for various grand larceny and robbery cases involving a scooter in the Bronx. He remains a suspect in at least four additional incidents.
“He entered this country illegally through Texas in 2022,” Tisch added.
The incident has reignited criticism of sanctuary policies in major cities. South Dakota Governor and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem previously blamed these local policies for enabling repeat offenders like Aybar Berroa to remain free and continue committing crimes.
Both men remain in federal custody as the investigation continues.
