Federal immigration agents have taken into custody a Dominican national identified as a suspect in the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection agent in New York City.
Christhian Aybar-Berroa allegedly participated in the July 19 attack in Manhattan’s Fort Washington Park. He illegally entered the United States in 2022 under the Biden administration. He was issued a final deportation order in 2023, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who announced the arrest via X.
Aybar-Berroa is the second suspect detained in connection with the incident. Noem said the suspect had a criminal history in New York City, including arrests for reckless endangerment and larceny. He reportedly remained free because prosecutors did not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests due to sanctuary city policies under Mayor Eric Adams.
The shooting occurred late Saturday night when the off-duty agent and a companion were ambushed by two men riding a scooter, law enforcement sources told ABC7. One suspect fired shots, striking the agent in the face and arm. The agent returned fire, wounding one assailant.
Noem, who visited the injured agent, condemned sanctuary city policies, stating that ignored detainers allowed violent people like Aybar-Berroa to remain free.
The second suspect involved in the shooting of @CBP agent was caught by @ICEGov early this morning. Christhian Aybar-Berroa, is an illegal from the Dominican Republic. He entered the country illegally in 2022 under the Biden Administration and was ordered for final removed in… pic.twitter.com/8LJVxcWtwq
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) July 21, 2025
The first suspect, identified as Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, a 21‑year-old Dominican national, was wounded and taken into custody at the scene. Authorities say Mora had multiple previous arrests, including for assault and robbery, and an active removal order.
Aybar-Berroa is currently being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending prosecution. Local authorities have not disclosed additional details about his potential charges in connection with the shooting, which federal officials are still investigating.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to target noncitizens with final deportation orders who engage in violent criminal activity, agency officials said. They emphasized that sanctuary city policies impede enforcement by preventing local detention until federal agents can act.
The wounded CBP officer is hospitalized in stable condition. The ongoing investigation highlights renewed calls to reexamine cooperation policies between federal and local law enforcement.
