Arraignment held for teen accused of shooting NYPD officers from Long Island

Bernardo Raul Castro Mata was arraigned from the hospital.

Cecilia Dowd

Jun 5, 2024, 4:47 PM

Updated 123 days ago

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Bernardo Raul Castro Matas, accused of shooting two NYPD officers from Long Island, was arraigned on a 17-count indictment on Wednesday. Among the charges is attempted murder.
Authorities said Matas came to the U.S. illegally from Venezuela.
Matas was allegedly driving an unregistered motorcycle the wrong way on a Queens street early Monday morning. Prosecutors said when NYPD officers tried to pull him over, he got off the motorcycle and fled on foot. Officers pursued him and he allegedly shot one officer in the thigh and the other in the chest, point blank. Authorities say that the officer's vest saved his life.
Matas entered a not guilty plea. The judge ordered that he be held without bail. The next court date is Friday.