Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed Monday that the second suspect involved in the attempted robbery and shooting of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in Manhattan has been taken into custody.
The off-duty CBP agent was attacked around 11:50 p.m. Saturday while sitting in Fort Washington Park with a female companion. Two suspects on a moped approached and opened fire, striking the agent in the face and arm. Despite his injuries, the officer returned fire, hitting one of the suspects.
“He Should’ve Never Been Here”
At a press conference Monday, Noem identified the second suspect as Christhian Aybar-Berroa, an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic.
“He entered the country illegally in 2022 under the Biden Administration,” Noem said.“He was ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2023… but thanks to New York City’s sanctuary policies, he was released back onto the streets.”
Aybar-Berroa had prior arrests for reckless endangerment and larceny, but ICE detainers were ignored under Mayor Eric Adams’ sanctuary city policy, according to DHS.
“This incident should have NEVER happened,” Noem wrote on X. “The perpetrator should have NEVER been here in the first place.”
Chaos at the Border, Consequences in the Streets
The first suspect, identified as Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, was also an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic. He entered the U.S. illegally, was apprehended, and then released in Arizona under Biden’s catch-and-release policies, DHS confirmed.
CBP Commissioner: “We Warned Biden”
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott laid the blame directly at the feet of the Biden administration:
“We should not be here today,” Scott said.“These two assailants were only in the U.S. because of failed border policies. I warned the Biden administration in 2021 — we were ignored. Now we’re living through the consequences.”
Scott said both suspects were released into the country after being apprehended at the southern border, highlighting what he called a complete breakdown of border security.
The Officer Survived — But Others May Not
Secretary Noem asked Americans to pray for the wounded officer and his family.
“We can’t guarantee the next victim of these dangerous criminals will be so lucky,” she said.
The CBP agent, whose name has not been released publicly, remains hospitalized and is expected to recover.
