Tourist Shooting Case in Times Square Identified, the Perpetrator is a Teenager



New York

New York’s Time Square was shocked by a shooting last week. A tourist became a victim.

Reporting from NBCNews This shooting case occurred on Thursday (8/2) when a 15 year old teenager entered a JD Sports shoe store in Times Square.

He is Jesus Alejandro Rivas Figueroa, an immigrant from Venezuela. He lives in a migrant shelter on New York City’s UpperWest Side.

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It all started when the security guard asked Figueroa to show a receipt for a jacket that was in his bag.

When the guard took the bag, the perpetrator reached for a gun from his coat. He fired a shot at the guard, but missed.

The shot hit a female tourist (37) from Brazil.

The perpetrator then ran out of the shop. Police then gave chase through Times Square. Police said he fired two shots, but officers did not return fire. There were many people filling the streets of Times Square.

Figueroa was arrested within 24 hours. He was taken to court on charges of assault and shooting.

NYPD Police Commissioner Edward Caban called the shooting reckless. The perpetrator is also suspected in two robbery and gunpoint incidents in the Bronx last month.

However, in a request for bail, Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Kathleen Coulson asked for the perpetrator to be returned.

“The defendant has demonstrated that he is a serious flight risk and faces a lengthy prison sentence in this powerful case, in which he shot innocent people in Times Square and then fired at police officers who were trying to arrest him,” the plea said.

The teenager is expected to make his next court appearance on February 13.

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