(Rightallegiance.com) – In a startling incident that unfolded in the heart of Times Square, a teenage gunman unleashed chaos, shooting a woman and subsequently engaging in a confrontation with police officers. The suspect, identified as 15-year-old Jose Alejandro Rivas Figueroa, is currently evading capture, leaving the city on edge. This harrowing event not only underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement but also casts a spotlight on the broader issues of migration and youth crime.
Jose Alejandro Rivas Figueroa, a young migrant from Venezuela, found himself embroiled in a violent altercation that thrust him into the national spotlight. Living in a temporary shelter, Rivas Figueroa’s journey from Venezuela to the United States culminated in a series of events that have left many questioning the intersections of migration, youth, and criminal behavior.
The incident occurred on a bustling Thursday night at around 7:05 p.m., when Rivas Figueroa, along with two other teenage boys, was suspected of shoplifting at JD Sports, located on West 42nd Street and Broadway. The confrontation began when a 37-year-old Brazilian tourist was shot amidst a chaotic scene that erupted after a female security guard attempted to retrieve stolen merchandise from the group.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell detailed the sequence of events in a press conference, highlighting the immediate danger posed to both civilians and law enforcement officers. In the aftermath of the shooting, Rivas Figueroa purportedly fled the scene, engaging in a daring escape that saw him firing two shots at a pursuing police officer. Miraculously, the officer emerged unscathed, a testament to the fraught circumstances of the confrontation, which occurred in a designated gun-free zone, exacerbating the peril of the situation.
The young gunman’s audacious escape continued as he discarded his shoes and jacket, disappearing into a subway station and eventually onto the tracks, a move that underscores the desperate lengths to which he went to evade capture. This series of events has led authorities to label him as “extremely dangerous.”
NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry took to social media to express the urgency and gravity of the situation, stating, “An attack on a cop is an attack on all of us!” This sentiment echoes the broader concern for public safety and the imperative to apprehend Rivas Figueroa, who not only poses a threat to law enforcement but to the community at large.
The police have taken into custody a 16-year-old boy associated with Rivas Figueroa at the time of the shooting, while a third teenager, who did not participate in the violent acts, was interviewed and released. These developments highlight the ongoing investigation and the efforts to piece together the events that led to this shocking incident.
Rivas Figueroa’s involvement in criminal activities is not isolated to this event. Authorities have linked him to a previous armed robbery in the Bronx on January 27 and a “shots fired” incident in Midtown Manhattan, painting a troubling picture of a young life entangled in violence.
As the search for Jose Alejandro Rivas Figueroa continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding youth crime, migration, and the challenges faced by cities in maintaining public safety. The community, along with law enforcement, remains vigilant, hoping for a resolution that brings safety and justice to the forefront.