Jesus Figueroa: Venezuelan teen migrant arrested in Times Square shooting charged with attempted murder

YONKERS, NEW YORK: An adult charge of attempted murder has been brought against the teenager who was detained after a shooting in Times Square, New York City, that left a tourist injured.

Jesus Alejandro Rivas-Figueroa, 15, was taken into custody by US Marshals in Yonkers on Friday, February 9, less than 24 hours after the shooting on Thursday, February 8.

Jesus Figueroa fled on foot and fired at the police

When a security guard stopped Rivas-Figueroa with stolen goods, the police said, he was caught on security tape opening fire inside a sporting goods store in Times Square. A 38-year-old client sustained a leg injury.

After that, he fled on foot and is reported to have fired at police during a chase, but no one was hurt, CBS New York.

At a press conference on February 9, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban stated, "He shot [at] the NYPD officers who pursued him through the streets of Midtown without a single thought of who he might hit or who he might kill."

According to the police, Rivas-Figueroa entered the subway system and was able to escape.

The teenager tried to escape the city the following morning with his mother but was caught at a Yonkers home. According to court records, he was concealed behind a dresser.

What are the charges against Jesus Figueroa?

Rivas-Figueroa is charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of attempted murder. His release on bond has been postponed since he poses a risk of fleeing.

After being transported to a nearby hospital, the victim of the shooting on Thursday has since been released. She was a tourist from Brazil, and on Saturday morning, February 10, she reportedly left New York to head home.

As per police, Rivas-Figueroa traveled from Venezuela to New York City less than six months ago.

He was residing in a shelter for migrants on the Upper West Side. Rivas-Figueroa is also suspected of a January armed robbery in the Bronx and a shooting in Midtown that left no one hurt, a police source told CBS New York.

Rivas-Figueroa is expected to appear back in court on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.