The NYPD has released new images of the man they now believe gunned down three people in two separate incidents near a Clinton Hill migrant shelter on Sunday night, killing two of the victims and leaving a third critically injured.
Police initially believed the shootings were unrelated, but detectives are zeroing in on a man caught on surveillance video they now believe is responsible for both July 21 shootings.
The first victim, later identified as 30-year-old Arturo Jose Rodriguez-Marcano, was fatally shot in the chest near the Steuben Playground at the corner of Flushing Avenue and Steuben Street across from the Brooklyn Navy Yard at about 11:44 p.m. Sunday night after an argument.
Cops now believe that his killer, who has yet to be identified, opened fire at a migrant shelter three blocks away, at 29 Ryerson St., just seven minutes later. In that shooting, 21-year-old Enny DeJesus Urbina Mendez suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, left leg, and left shoulder while a 59-year-old man was struck in the head.
Paramedics rushed Rodriguez-Marcano to New York Presbyterian/Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, while Mendez lost his life at Bellevue Hospital. The 59-year-old, who has not been identified, remains in critical condition.
Police said Urbina Mendez was living at the Ryerson Street shelter, while Rodriguez-Marcano was reportedly homeless. According to Gothamist, a number of migrants — including Rodriguez-Marcano — sleep in the park where he was shot.
The 88th Precinct responded to both deadly incidents. Year-to-date, the precinct had only seen one homicide and two shootings as of July 14, according to the most recent CompStat report.
Both shootings outraged local residents and elected officials, including state Attorney General Letitia James, a Brooklyn native.
“My office is working with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and local elected officials to get information about these shootings and inform the community,” James said in a statement. “We must do more to protect our communities from the dangers of gun violence and ensure that all our neighbors have access to the support they need and feel safe on our streets.”
“We mourn this senseless loss of life and remain committed to fighting all gun violence across our city,” added City Council Member Crystal Hudson, who represents the area.
Police said the suspect, who was last seen wearing all black with an Adidas shirt, was observed by witnesses fleeing on a dark moped northbound on Ryerson Street.
Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
A version of this story first appeared on Brooklyn Paper’s sister site amNewYork.
