Long Sentences for Gangster Who Shot NYPD Officers
A member of the Tren de Aragua gang, who shot two police officers in Queens, is set to face decades in prison following a disturbing incident.
On Tuesday, at Queens Supreme Court, 20-year-old Bernardo Raul Castro Mata was sentenced to 28 years behind bars.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz expressed relief, stating, “It’s just a miracle that Officer Richard Jarsso and Christopher Abreu are alive today.”
Mata, a Venezuelan immigrant, was apprehended riding an irregular motorcycle on Dittmars Boulevard early on June 3, 2024. Prosecutors recounted how he maneuvered dangerously among pedestrians and fled when the police approached.
In a chaotic pursuit, Officer Jarsso chased Mata on foot while Abreu navigated the scene in an unmarked police car. When Jarsso finally caught up, he found himself vulnerable and exhausted. Prosecutors reported that Mata then pulled out a .380 caliber pistol, shooting Jarsso at point-blank range.
He also shot Abreu in the foot, prompting other officers to return fire.
This incident highlighted ongoing issues related to the Tren de Aragua gang in New York City, as well as the broader immigration crisis and concerns surrounding Biden’s border policies.
Mata had entered the United States illegally in 2023. Interestingly, a lawsuit regarding his case was dismissed just two weeks before the shooting, which raised questions as no criminal history had been established at that time.
In a hospital confession after his arrest, Mata claimed he was part of the Tren de Aragua gang and had been encouraged by associates to commit robbery. He further remarked that it was not unusual for gang members to shoot at police, attributing such violence to the practices of Venezuelan law enforcement.
During a tumultuous court hearing, Mata was placed under protective custody. He was confronted by over 60 officers who had assembled for the proceedings.
The case was pursued through Queens Court until May 20, when Mata pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and assault.
Judge Kenneth Holder then sentenced him to 25 years for attempted murder and an additional three years for assault, with the sentences to run consecutively.
Patrick Hendry, president of the Mercy Association of Police, commended the verdict. He stated, “This sentence sends a message we desperately need. Everyone who attacks a police officer in New York City should expect quick justice and a very long prison.”
