Tourist Tragedy: 15-Year-Old Illegal Immigrant Arrested

A 15-year-old Venezuelan national, Jesus Alejandro Rivas-Figueroa, was recently apprehended by U.S. Marshals for allegedly shooting a tourist in Times Square. Rivas-Figueroa, an illegal immigrant, was arrested on Feb. 9, 2024, after a manhunt that led law enforcement to a home in Yonkers, New York.

 

The teenager, described as “very, very violent” by authorities, allegedly fired a “very large” handgun during an attempted robbery at a clothing and sneaker store, JD Sports, in New York City. The suspect was accompanied by two other teenagers, both aged 15 and 16.

During the robbery, the security guard confronted the boys and retrieved the stolen merchandise. Surveillance footage showed Rivas-Figueroa in white clothing, reaching for a handgun and firing two shots at the security guard, which missed and struck a nearby tourist from Brazil.


The NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban made a strong statement, emphasizing the commitment to protect the community. “If you think you can threaten the lives of the very people who keep us safe, if you think you can put others at deadly risk and get away with it, then think again. We will never stop pursuing you. We will find you, and we will arrest you,” he said.

 

Tourist Lone Hansen of Denmark, who witnessed the incident, shared her experience with CBS News. “The girl who got shot was between us two. We heard a big bang and then realized what happened.”

 

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell provided further details on the incident, highlighting the danger faced by the officers on the scene. “He turns once. He fires towards our officer. Our officer takes his gun out. He cannot return fire, there are too many people in his way. As the suspect goes through the cut between the buildings, he’s running, he takes his gun out under his armpit, he fires again at our officer,” Chell said.

 

This incident underscores the importance of addressing the issue of illegal immigration and its impact on public safety. It is crucial that our government takes a firm stance on border security and works to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

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