Off-duty Border Patrol agent shot in Washington Heights park; suspect in custody

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (WABC) -- A Customs and Border Protection officer was shot during a botched robbery inside a Washington Heights Park late Saturday night, police sources say.

Police say Miguel Mora, 21, is in custody in connection to the shootout under the George Washington Bridge. The DHS says that Mora is in the country illegally and has a history of violence as recent as a few months ago.

The officer, who is not bein identified was shot in the face. Officials say he is communicating with hand signals. He is currently recovering at Harlem Hospital, where he got a visit from his boss at Customs and Border Protection as well as the mayor and police commissioner on Sunday afternoon. They held a press conference describing the attempted robbery in Riverside Park that ended in a shootout with a suspect wanted by Federal and local authorities in wtwo states.

"Our officer is a hero. He did exactly what we ask of all of our officers under the circumstances," said Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Frank Russo.

The New York City-based CBP officer was off-duty just after midnight in the park below the George Washington Bridge with a female companion.

Surveillance video released by the Department of Homeland Security captured two men on a moped approaching the officer and his friend. One of the men pulled out a gun, trying to rob them.

Police say the officer drew his weapon and the suspect fired, hitting him in the face and forearm.

"At this time we have no indication that the officer was targeted for his employment," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Commissioner Tisch said the officer fired back, hitting the gunman in the leg.

On Sunday afternoon, Mora was identified as a person of interest and is in NYPD custody.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says Mora was in the United States illegally, despite having been ordered deported back to the Dominican Republic two years ago.

"In New York City, this 21-year-old male has prior arrests for assault and violated an order of protection. At the time of this shooting, he had an active bench warrant in the Bronx. He was wanted for a robbery from last December and a stabbing from January. A robbery from last December and a stabbing in January," said Mayor Adams.

Mora had not been arrested in either of those Bronx crimes yet, but officials say he will be now, as well as for attempted murder.

Police are still looking for the other guy who was on the moped with him. The NYPD had already gotten a 911 call from the park describing the same two guys robbing somebody else minutes earlier.

Police say Mora was taken into custody after he limped into a Bronx hospital with gunshot wounds to the leg and groin area and that they were able to finally take this wanted man into custody all because the off-duty Federal officer fired back.

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