US: Migrant teen accused of firing at Brazilian tourist, cop in Times Square arrested

A 15-year-old boy accused of shooting a Brazilian tourist in the leg in Times Square on Thursday (Feb 8) and then firing at a police officer while fleeing, was arrested just outside of New York City on Friday, the news agency Associated Press reported, citing the police. The teenager, identified as Jesus Alejandro Rivas-Figureoa, was taken into custody at a residential house that police believe may be linked to a family member in Yonkers nearly 24 hours after the shooting.

The incident began in a sporting goods store and spilled out onto the streets of Midtown Manhattan. Speaking to reporters, New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban said it was a miracle that no one was seriously injured.

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Earlier, the police had identified the suspect as a resident of a migrant shelter in Manhattan. The 15-year-old arrived in New York from Venezuela in 2023. The boy is also considered a suspect in an armed robbery in the Bronx and a separate shooting in Times Square in Jan.

The shooting

On Thursday, Jesus Alejandro, dressed in white, and two other teenagers were shoplifting a jacket from the sporting goods store shortly after 7 pm local time when they were confronted by a security guard who asked to see a receipt. When they couldn't produce one, the guard took back the merchandise. That's when Alejandro pulled out a .45 calibre handgun and fired at her. The bullet missed the worker but grazed a 38-year-old Brazilian tourist in line to buy a pair of sneakers.

The shooter and one of the other teens with him then ran off. The report said that four blocks away on 47th Street — near a triangular Times Square pedestrian plaza, two police officers spotted Alejandro and the second teenager who was detained.

The police said that Alejandro fled toward 6th Avenue with one of the officers giving chase, at one point cutting between buildings. There, he turned and fired at the officer, the police added.

Addressing a press conference, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said on Thursday, "Our officer draws his weapon. He cannot fire. Too many people around, there’s too many people ducking."

The 15-year-old shooter fired again from under his arm and continued to flee, running into a subway station. He was arrested on Friday.

'Scary moment'

Speaking to NBC, the tourist Tatiele Ribeiro Lemos recalled the “scary moment” when she realized she had been shot. “I started checking myself then looked at my leg and saw blood dripping down, but I was able to stay calm,” Lemos said.

She received 13 stitches for the wound at a local hospital.