A 19-year-old man accused of shooting two NYPD officers in Queens earlier this month pleaded not guilty to 20 charges Wednesday, including attempted murder.

Bernardo Raul Castro Mata could spend 80 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count of attempted murder.


What You Need To Know

  • A 19-year-old man accused of shooting two NYPD officers in Queens earlier this month pleaded not guilty to 20 charges Wednesday, including attempted murder

  • Bernardo Raul Castro Mata could spend 80 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count of attempted murder

  • Mata was remanded back into custody and is due back in court on Sept. 16

“One of them was shot point blank in the abdomen,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “One of them was shot in the leg. And yet, despite that, they continued to make the arrest.”

Dozens of police officers packed the Queens Criminal Court for Mata’s arraignment. The Venezuelan native pleaded not guilty.

According to prosecutors, three uniformed officers tried to pull him over in East Elmhurst on June 3, but he sped away on an unregistered moped and eventually ditched it. Law enforcement officials said he ran on foot for some time and allegedly fired a gun at the officers, striking officer Richard Yarusso in the chest in his bullet-proof vest and hitting officer Christopher Abreu in his right leg.

“They have a long road to recovery,” Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said. “They’re in good spirits. They’re battling every day.”

The officers returned fire and hit the suspect in the ankle, the NYPD said.

“These police officers were just doing a traffic stop,” Katz said. “It is one of the dangers also of unregistered scooters. If they had not caught him, there would be no way to find him.”

Prosecutors said Mata told police a friend gave him the gun, and he did not intend to fire it. Cops said the recently arrived migrant also admitted to once staying in a city-run shelter but was kicked out. Mata also told police he was a member of a Venezuelan gang, recruited to commit robberies.

The indictment also includes charges of criminal possession of a weapon and assault. Mata was remanded back into custody and is due back in court on Sept. 16.