Second Suspect Arrested in Shooting of Off-Duty Border Patrol Agent in New York City Park

New York, NY — July 21, 2025
Authorities have confirmed the arrest of a second suspect in connection with the weekend shooting of an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent in Fort Washington Park, Manhattan. The incident, which occurred late Saturday night, is being investigated as an attempted robbery turned violent.

At a press conference Monday morning, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the second individual involved—believed to be an accomplice of the shooter—had been apprehended overnight. The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, is also an undocumented migrant, Noem confirmed.

Shooting Details and Victim’s Condition

The off-duty officer, a 42-year-old agent with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), was shot in the face and arm during the confrontation, which took place around 11:51 p.m. Saturday near the Little Red Lighthouse in Fort Washington Park, just beneath the George Washington Bridge.

According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the agent was sitting with a female companion near the Hudson River when two men approached them on a scooter. Security footage shows one man—identified as Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, 21—getting off the scooter and confronting the pair. The second man remained by the vehicle.

Tisch stated that Mora Nunez drew a firearm, prompting the agent to pull his service weapon in self-defense. An exchange of gunfire ensued, after which Mora Nunez, visibly injured, limped back to the scooter and fled with his accomplice.

Suspect’s Arrest and Criminal History

Just after midnight—at 12:18 a.m. Sunday—Mora Nunez walked into Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx with gunshot wounds to the groin and leg. His injuries matched those seen in the security video of the incident. He was treated, underwent surgery, and remains in custody.

Authorities say Mora Nunez is an undocumented migrant from the Dominican Republic who entered the U.S. illegally via Arizona in 2023. Despite an extensive criminal record, he had been released into the country. His known history includes:

• Two prior domestic violence arrests in New York

• An outstanding warrant for missing a court date

• A robbery in the Bronx in December 2024

• A felony stabbing in January 2025

• A Massachusetts warrant for stealing guns from a pawn shop in February 2025

Federal Charges and Political Fallout

Federal prosecutors have signaled that federal charges are imminent. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton stated that the Department of Justice is coordinating with DHS and NYPD on the case.

Secretary Noem, along with former immigration czar Tom Homan and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, used the press conference to sharply criticize immigration policies under the Biden administration, blaming so-called “sanctuary city” protections for allowing suspects like Mora Nunez to remain in the country despite their criminal histories.

“In less than one year, [Mora Nunez] has inflicted violence in our city, and once he’s charged for last night’s crimes, we’ll be able to add attempted murder to his rap sheet,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who visited the wounded agent at Harlem Hospital on Sunday.

Commissioner Tisch emphasized that the agent was not targeted because of his job, and that this appeared to be an opportunistic robbery attempt.

Video Evidence Crucial to Fast Arrest

The entire attack was caught on security video, which authorities say was pivotal in identifying the suspects quickly. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the footage on social media, showing the moment the confrontation began and the suspects’ hasty escape.

The second suspect, now in custody, is believed to have driven the scooter used in the attack.

Incident Echoes Recent Violence Targeting Federal Officers

This New York shooting comes just two weeks after another attack targeting Border Patrol personnel—this time in McAllen, Texas. On July 7, a gunman opened fire at the U.S. Border Patrol sector annex at McAllen International Airport, injuring two police officers and one Border Patrol employee before being fatally shot by responding agents.

The shooter in that case, Ryan Louis Mosqueda, 27, was reportedly heavily armed. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind that attack.

Conclusion: A Grim Reminder of Rising Dangers

The Fort Washington Park shooting has sparked renewed scrutiny of immigration enforcement and public safety in major cities. With both suspects in custody, officials now turn to prosecuting the case—and reassessing the systems that allowed individuals with serious criminal records to remain at large.

As the wounded Border Patrol agent continues to recover, city and federal officials say they remain committed to protecting law enforcement personnel and closing gaps in immigration enforcement that may have contributed to this incident.