Posted on: May 22, 2025 07:50 AM

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Man pleads guilty to attempted murder for shooting 2 cops in queens DA says

A 20-year-old man has admitted guilt to attempted murder and several other charges after firing at two NYPD officers who tried to stop him nearly a year ago, prosecutors have reported.

Bernardo Raul Castro Mata has also pleaded guilty to second-degree assault. He shot Officers Richard Yarusso and Christopher Abreu on June 3, 2024, after being spotted riding a moped the wrong way down 82nd Street in East Elmhurst.

When the officers attempted to pull him over, Mata ran on foot. After a brief chase, he produced a gun and opened fire. Yarusso was struck in his bulletproof vest, while Abreu was shot in the leg.

The unlicensed firearm used in the shooting was later recovered at the scene, according to police. District Attorney Melinda Katz stated, “The defendant shot two New York City police officers at close range after they attempted to stop him for driving erratically on an unregistered motorcycle. Once the officers caught up to the defendant, he fired at them. Thankfully, one officer’s bullet-resistant vest saved his life while the other officer was able to recover from his injuries. With today’s plea, the defendant will now be held accountable for his actions.”

Mata is expected to receive a 28-year prison sentence—25 years for the attempted murder charge followed by five years of post-release supervision, and three years for the assault charge, also followed by three years of post-release supervision. The sentences will be served consecutively.