Two Venezuelan citizens fell victim to a violent shooting in the early morning of April 15, 2024, in the Bronx, New York City. The incident took place close to a McDonald’s restaurant at East 149th Street and Morris Avenue in the Mott Haven district.
As reported by NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, the victims, Adrian Mendoza, 24, and Jhombeyker Bisbal, 31, were in their 2015 Nissan Rogue around 4 a.m. when a gray Honda Civic with Virginia plates parked alongside them.
A passenger from the Civic exited, passed by the Rogue, and then returned. The individual approached the driver’s side, and opened fire at Mendoza, hitting him in the head and torso. The assailant then went to the front of the car and shot through the windshield several times, hitting Bisbal in the chest, arm, and shoulder. The perpetrator then fled the scene on foot. Authorities found a minimum of 12 9mm shell casings and eight bullet holes in the victim’s vehicle.
Both Mendoza and Bisbal were swiftly transported to the Lincoln Hospital. Mendoza succumbed to his injuries despite strenuous lifesaving efforts, and Bisbal is in critical condition, battling for his life.
Interestingly, neither Mendoza nor Bisbal had any previous arrest record in New York. However, both had encounters with U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Mendoza was arrested in Texas in August, and Bisbal was detained in May by the same agency.
The NYPD found wire transfer receipts with the victims, who had been sending money to Colombia. Chief Kenny mentioned that it’s uncertain if the victims were part of a migrant robbery ring that stole phones, unlocked them, and then shipped them to Colombia.
The shooting’s motive remains unknown, but the incident has sent ripples of concern regarding security throughout the Bronx and beyond, emphasizing the need for diligent community policing.
The NYPD is currently conducting an investigation into the incident and is in active pursuit of the shooter and the gray Honda Civic involved in the crime. No arrests have been made yet.
