A Venezuelan migrant, Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, has been arraigned in New York City on several serious charges, including two counts of attempted murder in the first degree, following an incident where he allegedly shot two NYPD officers. The 19-year-old suspect was brought into court in a wheelchair and did not speak during the arraignment. However, prosecutors revealed that Mata had previously made significant confessions to investigators, providing detailed accounts of his activities since arriving in the United States.

Incident Overview
The incident occurred on June 3rd, when two NYPD officers attempted to stop Mata for driving an unregistered scooter the wrong way on a one-way street in East Elmhurst, Queens. As the officers approached, Mata fled on foot, leading the police to pursue him. When they caught up to him, he resisted arrest and allegedly fired his weapon, striking Officer Christopher Abreu in the leg and Officer Richard Giarrusso in his bulletproof vest at point-blank range.
Shocking Confessions and Gang Affiliation
According to the prosecution, Mata has admitted to being a member of the Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan gang. He was reportedly recruited by a cousin and tasked with committing robberies as part of his involvement with the gang. During his interrogation, Mata revealed that the gang has been smuggling firearms into New York City shelters, specifically those that house migrants. He claimed that the weapons were hidden inside food delivery packages to avoid detection by metal detectors at the shelters.
Allegations of Smuggling Guns into Shelters
One of the most alarming revelations made by Mata was his claim that the Tren de Aragua gang has been smuggling firearms into city-run shelters. According to Mata, the gang members conceal guns inside food delivery packages, allowing them to bypass security measures such as metal detectors. This claim has raised serious concerns about the security and safety of shelters that house vulnerable populations, including migrants.
Background and Motive
Mata, who entered the United States illegally a year ago, had been residing in a shelter on Ditmars Boulevard before being evicted. He later told police that he worked for the food delivery service DoorDash and received the gun used in the shooting from a friend named Jose Mito. Mata’s confession included details about the shooting, which he described as a common practice among Tren de Aragua members, stating that shooting at police officers is routine in his home country due to the frequent conflicts between gang members and Venezuelan police.
Court Proceedings
During the court proceedings, the Assistant District Attorney (ADA) highlighted the danger Mata poses, noting that he shot at NYPD officers with the belief that he could escape punishment, a mindset he allegedly adopted from his experiences in Venezuela. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, Mata’s attorney requested that he be placed in protective custody due to his cooperation with authorities and the risks associated with his gang affiliation. The judge granted this request, ordering that Mata be held without bail and placed under protective custody.
DoorDash’s Response
In response to Mata’s claim of working for DoorDash, the company stated that they have no record of anyone by his name working for them. This raises further questions about Mata’s activities in the city and the validity of his claims regarding his employment.
Conclusion
The case of Bernardo Raul Castro Mata has drawn significant attention due to the serious nature of the charges and the alarming details of his confessions. His involvement with a violent gang and the claims of firearms being smuggled into migrant shelters have raised concerns about the safety and security of these facilities. The ongoing investigation will likely continue to uncover more details about Mata’s activities and the extent of the Tren de Aragua gang’s operations in New York City.