Illegal Immigrant Linked to Venezuelan Gang Shoots Two NYPD Officers

19-year-old suspect claims recruitment by Tren de Aragua, faces multiple charges including attempted murder

Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, allegedly shot two NYPD officers in Queens.
Mata claims he was recruited by the Tren de Aragua gang after entering the U.S. illegally in 2023.
The gang is known for violent crimes, including robberies and murders, across several U.S. states.
Mata was living in a migrant shelter and had a dismissed deportation case prior to the incident.
Local and federal authorities face criticism over immigration policies and enforcement.