New York City law enforcement officials are engaged in a widespread search for an individual suspected of involvement in two separate fatal shooting incidents that occurred just days apart in the Bronx and Brooklyn boroughs.
Bronx Deli Robbery Turns Deadly
The more recent of the two attacks took place at approximately 12:16 a.m. on Tuesday at the 149 Grill & Deli, located at 143 East 149th Street in the Bronx. According to police accounts, a gunman approached a 33-year-old man and discharged a firearm multiple times, striking the victim in the chest.
Following the shooting, the assailant reportedly took an undisclosed sum of cash from behind the counter before fleeing the scene. The injured man was transported to Lincoln Hospital, where he was initially reported to be in stable condition. However, his condition deteriorated, and he succumbed to his injuries later on Tuesday, leading authorities to classify the case as a homicide.
Brooklyn Homicide and Wounding
Authorities also link the same suspect, identified as Jesus Acosta, to a shooting incident that occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday inside a location at 842 Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn. This event resulted in the death of a 44-year-old man and left another individual wounded.
Responding to a 911 call reporting an assault in progress, officers discovered the 44-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to the head. A 39-year-old man was also found suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. Both victims were transported to One Brooklyn Health-Brookdale Hospital Medical Center. The 44-year-old was pronounced dead upon arrival, while the 39-year-old victim was listed in stable condition.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has publicly identified the suspect, Jesus Acosta, and released surveillance images as part of their ongoing investigation. The department issued a statement on X, urging public assistance: "Have you seen Jesus Acosta? He is wanted for the fatal shooting of a 44-year-old man on 8/23 inside 842 Rockaway Ave in Brooklyn and a robbery from 8/25 at 143 East 149 St in the Bronx." This public appeal was made prior to the announcement that the Bronx victim had also died from his injuries.
Acosta is described by police as being 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing approximately 175 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. Law enforcement is encouraging anyone who recognizes the individual in the released images or has information regarding his whereabouts to contact authorities.