2 suspects arraigned in Manhattan shooting of Border Patrol officer

Two men pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Supreme Criminal Court to state charges tied to the July shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection agent. A state grand jury indicted Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, 21, and Christhian Aybar-Berroa, 22, on assault, robbery and weapons possession charges; prosecutors also accused Mora Nunez of attempted murder. Federal charging papers say both men immigrated unlawfully from the Dominican Republic, which led to criticism of New York's sanctuary city policies and a Department of Justice lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams and city officials. Prosecutors allege the men used WhatsApp to plan a robbery that resulted in the shooting and serious injuries to the officer.

Two men charged in connection with the July shooting of an off-duty customs and border protection agent pleaded not guilty to various crimes in Manhattan Supreme Criminal Court on Wednesday. A state grand jury indicted Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, 21, and Christhian Aybar-Berroa, 22, on charges of assault, robbery and weapons possession earlier this month. Prosecutors also accused Mora Nunez of attempted murder. The two face additional charges in federal court.

Mora Nunez and Aybar-Berroa both immigrated unlawfully from the Dominican Republic, according to federal charging papers. Their immigration status sparked criticism from President Donald Trump's administration about New York's sanctuary city policies. Days after the shooting, the Department of Justice sued Mayor Eric Adams and other city officials, accusing them of "intentional sabotage of federal immigration enforcement." Prosecutors say Mora Nunez and Aybar-Berroa made plans over WhatsApp to rob people on July 19.

Mora Nunez grabbed the woman's phone, prosecutors said, then approached the off-duty officer. The DA's office said Mora Nunez pointed a gun at the officer's head, prompting the officer to pull out his own firearm. Mora Nunez shot the officer in the face and on his hand, according to prosecutors. The officer shot Mora Nunez in the thigh and groin.

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