Hot Pursuit: Police Officers Shot By Violent Illegal Alien During Car Chase

Two police officers were shot in Queens, New York, Monday, in a chaotic scene after they tried to pull over a wrong-way moped driver, who was believed to be connected to a string of robberies. The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. local time, on 82nd Street near 23rd Avenue in East Elmhurst, Queens.

Cops chased the suspect for several blocks, during which the suspect fired at them. One officer was hit in his bulletproof vest, while the other suffered a bullet wound to the leg.

The officers who are assigned to the 115th Precinct’s Public Safety Unit, were treated at a local hospital and released.

The suspect identified as 19-year-old Bernardo Castro Mata, who was also wounded, was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment. He was shot once in the right ankle but is expected to survive his injuries.

Castro-Mata entered illegally into the U.S. from Venezuela via Eagle Pass, Texas, in July last year, and was staying in a taxpayer-funded Queens migrant shelter from where he was discharged on May 15.

Police believe Castro-Mata is part of a group that has been using mopeds and scooters to commit violent robberies around New York City.

The NYC Police Department(NYPD) is investigating the shooting.