The teenage gunman who fatally shot a woman at a Times Square clothing store Thursday night before opening fire on police officers has been identified as an immigrant and remains at large, authorities said Friday.
The gunman, Jose Alejandro Rivas Figoa, 15, immigrated from Venezuela and was living in a temporary shelter, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said. Chell said he entered the United States in September and is considered armed and dangerous.
Three teenagers, two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old, entered the JD Sports store on West 42nd Street at Broadway, grabbed clothes and tried to leave. Chell said security guards confronted them and retrieved the items.
“At this time, the suspect pulled out a .45 caliber handgun…and fired at her into the crowd,” Chell said.
A 37-year-old woman visiting from Brazil was shot. Two of the teens fled the scene, and one of the 15-year-old boys was arrested by responding officers. Another officer chased Rivas-Fijoa.
“You saw the video. He turned once and fired at our officers,” Chell told reporters. “Our officer has his gun drawn. He can’t fight back. There are too many people in his way.”
As the chase continued, the gunman fired at officers again, fled into the subway station and onto the train tracks before exiting onto the street, authorities said.
The 16-year-old man was arrested Friday morning. Investigators are trying to determine the role of the suspect arrested in Thursday’s shooting.
New York’s ‘catch-and-release’ policy fails to hold criminals accountable: Police official
The gunman was wanted for attempted murder of a police officer and was part of a trio suspected of shoplifting from JD Sports at West 42nd Street and Broadway. (New York City Police Department)
The gunman and his male accomplice, a 15-year-old Hispanic male wearing a blue jacket, fled the store and ran toward 47th Street, Chell said.
Two police officers who were patrolling the area then gave chase and arrested the suspect, who was wearing a blue jacket. The boy was later released without being charged.
The shooting occurred nearly two weeks after a group of immigrants also attacked two New York City police officers in Times Square. Several suspects have been charged in the case, but only one is in custody.
This story is broken. Please check back for the latest information.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
