Jesus Acosta arrested in connection with 2 deadly NYC shootings

Updated 37 minutes ago
MELROSE, The Bronx (WABC) -- The man wanted in connection with two deadly shootings days apart in New York City has been arrested, police announced Saturday.

The NYPD said 31-year-old Jesus Acosta was taken into custody Saturday morning following a dayslong manhunt.



Police had been searching for Acosta in connection with shootings at a restaurant in Brooklyn and a bodega in the Bronx that left two people dead and another man injured.

The first shooting happened at American Best Wings and Pizza in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on Sunday.



Police say Acosta shot Mohammed Rasel in the leg before shooting Rasel's friend and coworker, 44-year-old MD Yousuf, in the head. Yousuf, a father of two daughters, was killed.

Two days later, Acosta is accused of walking into 149 Grill in the Melrose section of the Bronx just after midnight Tuesday.

Surveillance video shows the gunman pulling out a gun and shooting a customer, 33-year-old Tayvon Shuler. The video then shows the gunman going behind the counter and stealing money from the register as customers and employees scrambled for cover.

Caught on camera: Gunman shoots customer during armed robbery at Bronx store


Shuler, who was known as Plucky, later died at the hospital.



Friends of Schuler were ecstatic to learn that his accused killer is locked up.

"He deserves everything he got coming to him," said Mon'ee.

Fernando Mateo with United Bodegas of America said he was pleased to hear about the arrest, but says more work needs to be done to protect the workers he represents.

Acosta has 13 prior arrests, beginning with an armed robbery when he was 14 years old. He served 10 years in state prison for shooting a man on a subway platform and was released on parole in April.

Before his arrest, the FBI had offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to Acosta's location and apprehension. The United Bodegas of America had also offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.



Police have not released additional details about Acosta's arrest or announced what charges he faces.

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