Summary
- An off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was shot in the face and arm during an attempted robbery at Fort Washington Park in Manhattan.
- The officer, age 42, was sitting near the Hudson River with a female companion when approached by two men on a moped.
- According to authorities, one suspect displayed a firearm, leading to an exchange of gunfire; the officer was shot but returned fire, wounding the assailant.
- The injured officer is expected to survive and is considered a hero by his agency.
- Police have identified the wounded suspect as Francisco Mora, a national who was in the U.S. illegally and facing deportation.
- Surveillance cameras captured the incident, and the second suspect remains at large, with police actively searching for him.
- President Trump and other officials have commented on the incident due to its law enforcement and immigration implications.
- Authorities confirm there is no evidence the agent was targeted because of his occupation.
- Investigations remain ongoing as of Monday.
A 42-year-old off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was shot in the face and left forearm late Saturday evening during what police describe as a botched robbery in Fort Washington Park, Manhattan. Despite his injuries, the agent managed to return fire, wounding one of his assailants. The incident has escalated national conversations on immigration and law enforcement, especially after it was revealed the suspect is an undocumented immigrant facing deportation. Authorities from several agencies, including the New York Police Department (NYPD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), continue to investigate as the wounded officer recovers.
What Do Officials Say Happened in Fort Washington Park?
According to reporting by Troy Closson of The New York Times, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained at a Sunday press briefing that the officer and his female companion were "sitting on rocks by the Hudson River in Upper Manhattan" shortly before midnight when two individuals arrived on a scooter and confronted them. Tisch stated,
"As one of the suspects approached and displayed a firearm, the officer recognized the situation as a robbery and drew his service weapon."
The suspect fired first, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
As relayed by NYPD sources to the New York Post, the officer "was relaxing on a rock by the Hudson River in Fort Washington Park" at about 11:50p.m. when two men on a moped approached. One of them fired, hitting the agent in the face and forearm. In response, “the agent retrieved his own weapon and discharged several rounds at the assailants,” wounding one before the suspects fled.
Surveillance footage captured the confrontation, showing two men approach the officer and his companion, display a firearm, and engage in a shootout.
Who Are the Victims and Suspects in the Shooting?
As reported by the New York Times, authorities have not released the officer's name but identified him as a 42-year-old CBP officer based in New York City. NYPD Commissioner Tisch and other officials confirmed that the officer was not targeted because of his occupation; the robbery appeared opportunistic. The officer's companion was unharmed, and he is reportedly in stable condition, anticipated to recover from his injuries after undergoing surgery.
The main suspect, per the New York Post and ABC7NY, is Francisco Mora, described as a national who has been living in the U.S. illegally since 2023. After being shot by the agent, Mora limped away and was later admitted to a Bronx hospital with gunshot wounds to his groin and leg. Commissioner Tisch confirmed,
"Mr. Mora arrived at a hospital in the Bronx shortly after the robbery attempt, suffering from gunshot wounds that matched the injuries of the suspect seen in the video attacking the officer."
Mora underwent surgery and is now in police custody at Lincoln Hospital; an arrest was said to be imminent as of Sunday.
The second suspect, also captured in surveillance video, remains unidentified and is currently being sought by law enforcement.
How Did the Incident Unfold According to Law Enforcement and Eyewitness Accounts?
Eyewitness News (ABC7NY) reported that the shootout drew immediate local and national attention, including from President Trump, due to the suspect’s immigration status and the victim’s law enforcement background. According to officials at a briefing aired by ABC7NY,
"The off-duty officer was not targeted because of his job, but his bosses say he did his job and they are calling him a hero. He executed our mission, which is to protect the country, and he did it by stopping a threat."
Homeland Security officials released surveillance video reportedly showing two men on a moped pulling up to the officer and his companion, brandishing a gun before the agent responded with his own weapon. The NYPD said that after the shooting, both suspects fled the scene, but Mora was later apprehended after seeking medical attention for his wounds.
What Is the Status of the Investigation and the Victims?
Reporting for The New York Times, Troy Closson confirmed that the officer was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside and is expected to recover after surgery. Law enforcement sources echoed this to the New York Post, stating that "the federal agent is currently undergoing surgical procedures and is anticipated to recover." New York police and federal authorities are reviewing security footage and have urged the public to help identify the second suspect, as efforts to locate him intensify.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement emphasizing the heroism of the wounded officer and noted that the investigation is ongoing in collaboration with local and federal agencies.
Did Authorities Comment on Motives or Targeting?
Both NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch (as reported by The New York Times) and police sources cited by The Indian Express and ABC7NY have stressed that there is "no indication" that the officer was targeted because of his work with Customs and Border Protection. Instead, officials maintain that the robbery was opportunistic.
What Are the Broader Implications and Political Responses?
The incident quickly reverberated in political circles due to the suspect’s immigration status. According to ABC7NY and The New York Times, President Trump referenced the case and highlighted broader concerns regarding border security and local enforcement practices. Tom Homan, Director of Border Enforcement for DHS, told ABC7NY, “He executed our mission... by stopping a threat.”
Furthermore, the case has reignited debates about public safety in New York and federal immigration enforcement after local authorities confirmed Mora had previously been slated for deportation. Multiple news organizations have reported the scrutiny over how suspects with outstanding immigration violations remain in the U.S..
What Happens Next in the Investigation?
Authorities continue to search for Mora’s accomplice. Both the NYPD and federal agencies have requested tips from the community and are reviewing security footage from the park and surrounding areas. The officer who was wounded is expected to make a full recovery, and his actions have been lauded as "courageous" by Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security.